The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has called for a review of the Fire Service Act of 1963 to put it in line with current realities.
A statement signed by the Head, Public Relations Unit of the Agency in Abuja, Nkechi Isa, said that the Act has become obsolete and limits the enforcement powers of emergency agencies in carrying out their duties.
The statement quotes the Director-General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, emphasising that the laws must be reviewed for public safety.
According to him, “Is there any law that empowers the firemen to vet a building from the beginning of the construction to the end? They are supposed to be there from inception”.
Alhaji Idriss informed that in the FCT, emergency agencies rely on the Urban and Regional Planning Act to carry out enforcement.
He further disclosed that at least an average of 5 fires are recorded daily in the FCT, noting that this was a high rate.
According to the DG, most of the fires were avoidable and could be traced to carelessness or willful acts.
The FEMA boss appealed to FCT residents to dial the toll-free number 112 if they sight or sense anything strange or unusual.
Dominica Nwabufo
