Fire services in major cities in the country with constant fire disasters will be improved.
Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, announced in parliament today that the Government is working to improve the National Fire Service to better respond to fires.
He said over the last few days the government has engaged in discussion with the fire services to improve their responsiveness to fire situations.
O’Neill said this in response to Anglimp-South Wahgi MP, Joe Koim, who aksed what the state of readiness was regarding natural or man-made disasters around the country.
Koim highlighted the Tabari Place fire in Port Moresby which burnt down two iconic buildings and destroyed several shops.
Prime Minister O’Neill said the discussions for the improvement of the fire service has already begun with the outlook of improving equipment of the fire service.
O’Neill said state agencies will be at the forefront of the improvement program.
“We are trying to improve the equipment now and Mr. Speaker we are also getting all the agencies of Government including finance and Treasury and especially the APEC office to take the lead into trying to re-equip our fire departments all throughout the country.
“It will be a long period of implementation for the program we are now trying to put together but for the major cities where there has been constant fires we’re trying to put more equipment that will boost their services,” O’Neill said.
The Tabari Place fire disaster is currently under investigation.
The Prime Minister said for disasters in the country caused by either climate change or man-made, the government has tried its best to address them.