The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency, FEMA has restated commitment to finding a lasting solution to the recurrent fire outbreak and its implications in homes and markets in the territory.
The Director-General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, stated this at an emergency coordination meeting on fire prevention and mitigation in the territory, held on Wednesday in Abuja.
Voice of Nigeria gathered that the emergency meeting was necessitated by the fire outbreak in Kubwa, Karmo and Nyanya markets.
Idriss said experience had shown that the dry season was a fertile period for fire outbreak in homes, markets and other public places due to prevailing weather condition and nature of vegetation that makes bush burning easier.
The DG said that some fire incidents, especially in markets, are wilful acts carried out by hoodlums to pave way for looting.
He said that fire incidents occur in various ways, some with hidden motives including intent to breach security, which we must all analyse critically to stem the tide.
“The Federal Capital Territory Administration, in the light of these worrisome issues, considers this meeting as strategic for finding lasting solutions to the recurrent seasonal fire outbreak and their implications.
“We are to carefully identify markets in the FCT that are prone to incessant fire outbreak and analyse the causes as well as solutions,” he said.
The DG enjoined the Abuja Markets Management Ltd. to ensure regular fire surveillance, put in place and maintain rapid response measures.
He urged Market Traders Association to take greater responsibility for the safety of markets.
“It is a duty of the management of Abuja Markets leadership to ensure that operators in the market through traders association are educated on fire risk and are also carried along in all programmes and activities aimed at ensuring fire safety,” Idriss said.
He also advised the FCT residents to equip their home with fire safety equipment for emergency response.
Unorganised Market
Earlier, the Acting Director, FCT Fire Service, Mr Sanni Saidu, said unorganised markets had been a serious threat to fire safety in the territory.
He enjoined Abuja residents to be more safety conscious by cross checking all appliances before going out of homes or office.
Also, the acting Managing Director, Abuja Markets Management Ltd.Alhaji Ibrahim Uzaibat, said the management would ensure that every shop have fire extinguisher and train traders on how to use them in case of any fire incident.
He advised all traders to off their electric appliances whenever they close, to avoid fire incident.
Confidence Okwuchi
