• Says FG spent N10.4b on infrastructure upgrade
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has said that unless rigorous awareness campaign on fire safety and prevention is embarked on, Nigerians are likely to see more man-made fire outbreaks as the dry season sets in.
The minister gave the warning, yesterday, at the pulling out parade of the Controller-General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service, Dr. Ibrahim Liman, in Abuja.
He noted: “Although there are naturally occurring fire accidents, most accidents are man-made, accidentally, negligently or on purpose (arson), and this can be prevented if there is enough awareness. Nigerians should be made to know the various categories of fire and what the first responders should do before the arrival of the fire officers.
“The Service should therefore engage in mass media to sensitise Nigerians on the need to be careful in handling fire and what to do if there is a fire accident. Conscious effort should be made to publicise contact details so that Nigerians will have handy information on how to contact the Service in case of fire.
However, he said the Federal Government had spent N10.4 billion on fire infrastructure upgrade in 2021 and some of the infrastructure include 44 fire-fighting engines, 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention fire engines and 20 basic life support ambulance, which were distributed across the states.
While extolling the virtue and legacy of the out-going CG, Aregbesola said Liman had brought about unprecedented growth and development as well as a much-needed revolution in the Service since he took over the mantle of leadership in 2019.
In his farewell speech, Liman pointed that the successes achieved under his tenure were made possible by the support of President Muhammadu Buhari, the minister(s) of interior, personnel of the service and the media.
Liman, who is also a pioneer employee of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service, said his growth through the ranks in the fire service had been rewarding and worthwhile.
Meanwhile, the Acting CG, Karebo Samson, said it had been an honour working with the out-going CG because he has brought to bear his wealth of knowledge on officers of the service and trained firemen abroad in partnership with other government agencies.
