Bushfire Incident Leaves Abia Teachers and Students Stranded

A devastating bushfire has ravaged the Ofeme Community Central School in Umunkpu Ofeme, Umuahia North LGA of Abia State, leaving teachers and pupils stranded. The inferno, which broke out over the weekend, consumed two school blocks along with chairs, tables, office supplies, and various educational materials.

Headmistress Mrs. Nkiru Izuagha attributed the blaze to indiscriminate bush burning from nearby farmlands. During an assessment visit by Umuahia North Local Government Chairman Mayor Victor Ikeji, Mrs. Izuagha expressed her distress over the loss of valuable property and thanked the chairman for his prompt response to their plight.

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Mayor Ikeji, while sympathizing with the affected school community, assured them that the government would undertake the necessary repairs to restore the school. He also issued a stern warning against the dangerous practice of setting farmlands ablaze, emphasizing its destructive consequences.

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In addition to the school fire, Mayor Ikeji inspected a collapsed section of the Mbato-Ofeme-Eme Bailey bridge in Umuahia North LGA. The traditional ruler of Mbato autonomous community, Eze Emeka Nwankwo, highlighted the adverse impact of the bridge collapse, stating that it has disrupted primary school attendance and impeded both movement and farming activities in the affected villages.

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In response to the bridge collapse, Mayor Ikeji announced immediate commencement of repair works to alleviate the suffering of the people in the area. However, the aftermath of the bushfire and bridge collapse underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to address both natural and man-made disasters affecting communities in Abia State.