OSAS EMMANUEL
No fewer than 85 lives and property worth over four billion Naira has been saved from fire incidences between January and September across Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The Acting Director, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service, Engr. Sani Saidu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Abuja.
He noted that the figure is on a decline as compared to 190 lives and over six billion worth of property saved from fire incidences in the nation’s capital in 2021.
Saidu attributed the reduction on the lives and properties saved from fire incidences within 2022, to the intense sensitisation by the Fire Protection Unit across all the 15 fire stations in Abuja.
He said the agency received 570 fire calls and we were able to save 190 lives in 2021 and in 2022 we received 388 calls and rescue 40.
The Fire boss revealed that there are over 32 fire fighters, ambulances, and water tenders working out of 15 active fire stations spread over the city center and the local councils, adding that, the agency ensures that they respond to any fire call within five minutes.
Saidu reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to supporting fire safety initiatives in schools, marketplaces, and public and private buildings in order to reduce the likelihood of a fire disaster in the FCT.
Furthermore, Saidu counsel the general public on the need to safeguard all public buildings, vehicles and apartments with fire extinguishers, especially as the the Harmattan season is approaching.
The Fire Controller however said that the perception of some Nigerians over safety of lives and property is worrisome.
Saidu while describing the attitude of most Nigerians with expensive cars and apartments without fire extinguisher as what could be seen as penny wise, pounds foolish mentality, emphasised that it is better to park your car and use commercial taxi, than to drive without fire extinguisher.
The Fire Service Controller therefore urged all Vehicles/property owners to make having fire extinguisher as a ‘Must’ and take a step further to approach the Service to learn how to effectively use the fire fighting equipments.
“If you don’t have money to buy fire extinguisher, please park the car. If You have a house equip it with it. If you have it and you don’t know how to use it, come to the Service, we will teach you how to operate it for free. Therefore we urged malls, public ” Saidu said.
The Controller also enjoined citizens to promptly reach out to the Service’s Headquarters on 09 -290-6118 whenever there is an emergency for immediate action.
According to him, the service has 15 active fire stations across the Area Councils and the city center with over 170 fire force, 32 fire fighters, ambulances and water tenders.
He also hinted that the Service within the year under review recorded 5144 fire calls and 579 rescue calls that saved lives of 1999 and property worth N24, 774, 265,995, with over #4bn saved from January to September 2020 alone.
Saidu further reiterated the commitment of the Service to continue to champion fire safety campaigns in Schools, markets, public and private buildings towards minimising fire disaster in the FCT.
Speaking on challenges, the Second In Command, FCT Fire Service, Adebayo Zacheus who commended the FCTA for providing them with working equipment, however called for more funding for procurement of additional modern fire fighting equipments.
Zacheus also called for establishment of more fire stations in the territory.
