Isoka needs fire station - residents

ISOKA residents have appealed to Isoka town council to establish a fire station to save lives and property in case of a major fire breaking out in the district.

Speaking during a budget consultative meeting yesterday, Isoka Business Association (IBA) chairperson Enos Simwinga said there was need for the local authority to establish the fire station which could respond promptly to fire incidences as opposed to the current arrangement where a fire tender would have to be called from Chinsali or Nakonde to respond to fires in Isoka. ‘‘We, therefore, appeal to the council to consider setting up a fire station in Isoka, business houses are already paying for fire certificates and we believe with what we have been paying the council can easily set up a fire station, ’’Mr Simwinga said

Mr Simwinga said the increase in population and economic activities in the district had made it necessary to have appropriate firefighting equipment in the district.

Meanwhile, Isoka town council secretary Namenda Kaonga said he had taken interest in ensuring that the local authority established a fire station in the district.

Mr Kaonga said the council had taken the challenge and had engaged the Ministry of Local Government to help establish the fire station.

Isoka was growing and that it had become necessary to have a fire station in the district, Mr Kaonga said.

He said the council had since called for a stakeholders meeting to be held on Tuesday next week to discuss the issue of setting up the fires station.