Bushfire destroys primary school in Abia community, leaving teachers and students stranded

A fire has completely destroyed the Ofeme Community Central School located in Umunkpu Ofeme, Umuahia North LGA of Abia.

The fire outbreak which occurred at the weekend destroyed two school blocks, chairs, tables, office stationeries and some other educational materials in the school.

Mrs. Nkiru Izuagha, the community school’s headmistress, claims that the fire was started by careless bush burning in the farmlands around the school.

During his assessment visit, Mrs. Izugha was speaking to Mayor Victor Ikeji, the local government chairman of Umuahia North.

She claimed that because the teachers and students at the school lost priceless belongings to the fire, the incident had a devastating impact on them.

She did, however, appreciate the local government chairman for acting promptly to address their situation.

Victor Ikeji, the chairman of the Umuahia North Council, who had visited the school to assess the extent of the damage, responded by expressing his sympathy to the students and the administration and giving them the assurance that the government will make the necessary repairs.

The Mayor, however, issued a warning to those who frequently set farmlands on fire to stop since their actions have proven to be harmful.

In Umuahia North LGA, Ikeji also examined a collapsed portion of the Mbato-Ofeme-Eme Bailey bridge.

Receiving him, the traditional ruler of Mbato autonomous community, Eze Emeka Nwankwo regretted that primary school pupils from some of the affected villages no longer go to school.

The monarch added that the movement of people and farming activities have also been hindered by the collapse of the bridge.

In his response, Mayor Victor Ikeji announced that immediate works would commence on the collapsed bridge, to save the people from further suffering.