Teachers, pupils stranded as bushfire destroys primary school in Abia community

Ofeme Community Central School, Umunkpu Ofeme, Umuahia North LGA of Abia has been gutted by fire.

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

According to the Headmistress of the community school, Mrs Nkiru Izuagha, the fire was caused by indiscriminate bush burning from farmlands surrounding her school.

Mrs Izugha was addressing the Local Government Chairman of Umuahia North, Mayor Victor Ikeji during his assessment visit to the area.

She said the incident was devastating to the teachers and pupils of the school as they lost valuable property to the fire. She, however, appreciated the local government Chairman for quickly responding to their predicament.

In his response, the Umuahia North Council Chairman, Victor Ikeji, who was in the school to inspect the level of damage to the school sympathized with the pupils and the school management and assured them that the government would fix the school.

The Mayor, however, warned those who are in the habit of setting farmlands ablaze to desist, as they have clearly shown to be destructive.

Ikeji also inspected a collapsed section of the Mbato-Ofeme-Eme Bailey bridge in Umuahia North LGA.

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.