By Bosede Olufunmi
The Federal Government has concluded plans to establish fire stations in all the 109 senatorial districts in the country, as part of efforts to mitigate fire disasters in the country.
Dr Olumode Samuel-Adeyemi, the Controller General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), made this known when he visited the Singer Market in Kano State on an on-the-spot assessment following the fire incident in the market on Feb. 14.
This, according to Samuel-Adeyemi, was part of efforts to mitigate fire disasters and boost safety, protect lives, and secure national assets in the country.
The CG said that, particularly, a fire post would be established at Singer Market in Kano to reduce and curb recurring fire outbreaks in the market.
Samuel-Adeyemi, who conveyed the message of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, sympathised with government and people of Kano State, particularly residents and traders of Singer Market, over the loss of lives and property worth billions of naira.
He said the visit was part of the ongoing efforts by FFS to strengthen emergency response and improve safety in public infrastructure.
“I conducted an on-the-spot assessment of affected areas and met with market leadership to discuss preventive measures.
“Two similar incidents occurred in the market within weeks, resulting in significant economic loss, to this end, a fire station will be established within the market to reduce response time to incidents,” he said.
Samuel-Adeyemi appealed to Nigerians to always give right of way to fire trucks, noting that although firefighters responded to the Singer Market incident within 20 minutes, but access to the scene was delayed due to obstruction.
He identified faulty electrical wiring, unsafe fuel storage, cooking inside shops, use of generators, lithium battery installations, and unattended electrical appliances as major causes of market fires.
On preventive measures, he said the service has intensified public education and inspections through its Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit to ensure compliance with fire safety standards.
He added that the proposed amendment of the Fire Service Act would strengthen the service’s enforcement powers, including sealing premises that fail to install required fire safety equipment.
He said that plans to establish fire stations across senatorial districts and local government areas to widen coverage and improve rapid response have reached an advanced stage.
“We will collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to ensure crowd control during fire incidents.
“We will also construct water reservoirs in major markets nationwide to enable firefighters access water promptly during emergencies,” he said.
He commended the Kano State Fire Service and other emergency agencies for their cooperation and assured continued federal support in equipment and training. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Sadiya Hamza
