Expert seeks efficiency in fire fighting at 2016 Prevention Week

As the world marks the 2016 Fire Prevention Week, an expert has advised the Federal Government to consider separating the regulatory work of fire service from the auditing function for efficiency.

Lead Consultant, of the African Centre for Life and Fire Safety (ACLFS), a subsidiary of National Fire Protection Association West Africa (NFPAWA), Antonia Beri, said as much as there are laws and regulations guiding fire and safety activities in the country, government needs to step up to make sure that workers and every other persons are safe.

The 2016 Fire Prevention Week, which commenced October 9th and ended at the weekend in Lagos, is celebrated globally to raise awareness of practices that can help prevent fire disasters and to recognize the work of the fire-fighters.

Beri, who expressed disappointment in poor safety compliance level of both individual and companies, identified both auditing and strict enforcement of related laws as being vital to preventing fire outbreak and noted that much are expected from the three tiers of government in these areas.

The ACLFS boss added: “Besides this, government should work at ensuring the independence of the regulatory and auditing sections as different entities .In other words, there should be a clear boundary between these two functions, otherwise, it can compel conflict of interest. The government alone cannot serve, as the regulator and the auditor, separating these roles will also build a platform whereby these offices can be held accountable and responsible in a transparent manner.

Speaking on this year’s theme: “Don’t Wait-Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years”, she pointed that Nigerians are yet to wake up to the reality of the importance of smoke alarm as a disaster-averting device.