A fire burned 27 Nigerians and destroyed properties worth 3.017 trillion naira in the second quarter of 2021.
Interior Minister Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola revealed it on Tuesday.
He said, however, that the Federal Fire Department saved around 166 lives, saved around 82 people in distress due to fire and other related emergencies while saving property worth more than $ 1.5 trillion. of nairas.
Aregbesola, revealed during the commissioning of the state-of-the-art firefighting truck deployed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to complete firefighting in Taraba State at Government House Jalingo, the state capital on Tuesday.
“It is noteworthy that from 2020 to 2021 have witnessed frightening fires, ranging from markets to gas and pipeline fires across the country,” the minister said.
“Statistics at our disposal show that in the second quarter of 2021, the FFS received 638 fire calls of which, unfortunately, 27 lives were lost and property estimated at 3,017 trillion naira destroyed.
“The good news, however, is that the service in the quarter under review also saved around 166 lives, saving around 82 people in distress from fire and other related emergencies while saving on property. worth over N15.1 trillion, “he noted.
While thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for his determination to strengthen the service, Ogbeni Aregbesola said the President’s support for all services in his ministry has been immense.
“I must thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued support to the Interior Ministry and its agencies. I am pleased to state that the delivery of the fire truck to Taraba State, as seen today, is indeed further testimony to the president’s determination to reposition the FFS for better service delivery. services in accordance with its core mandate, which includes humanitarian and emergency services.
“I have to say that since the establishment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, FFS has undergone a phenomenal transformation from a dying department to a vibrant organization equipped with modern and state-of-the-art firefighting equipment and today we are here to deliver one. fire fighting trucks at the Federal Fire Service, Taraba State Command, which must be staffed with well-trained, dedicated and committed personnel, ”the Minister noted.
Aregbesola also revealed that the commissioned equipment “is part of the N10.4 billion infrastructure upgrade approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on March 3, 2021 that includes 44 anti-lattice engines. ‘fire, 15 tankers, 15 rapid response fire trucks (unconventional ones) that can go to nooks and crannies to respond to distress calls and 20 basic resuscitation ambulances ”
The minister, however, instructed the state government to invest in firefighting equipment for its own state fire service, as the role of the federal fire service was only complementary and the services of firefighting fall under the concurrent legislative list.
“It is important, however, that state governments establish a strong fire service to complement what the federal fire service does in their respective states. It is only when we have this complementary service that we can be assured that fire will not pose a great threat to us in the preservation of life and property.
“So we should not restrict the requirements or needs of fire departments to state capitals or urban centers. Arrangements should be made for local governments and rural areas, which have also been victims of fires and other emergencies. Farms and valuable economic trees have also been destroyed by fires in rural areas.
“I will urge State Command to make the federal government’s move to optimize and effectively use these assets to improve fire coverage, strengthen emergency response operations and complement the operations of emergency services. state fire while improving fire safety across the country, ”the minister told the state governor.
Later in his speech, the minister urged the state to take advantage of the regime of fire marshals and wardens to train volunteers for humanitarian services.
“It is on this note that I will encourage Your Excellency to take advantage of the new Fire Marshal and Guardian program within FFS to train and equip volunteers within the State to join forces with the regular corps.”
Ogbeni Aregbesola reiterated the role of man in the fight against fires.
“People should also be positioning themselves to be in the best place to secure their lives and make it easy for the government to help them. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. Everyone must be sensitive and attentive to the developments which surround them, in particular the issues which should be of concern for security ”, declared the Minister.
In his remarks, the Comptroller General of the Federal Fire Service, Dr Ibrahim Liman, urged the state governor to also reach out to the state’s federal fire service, saying that the deployment of the fire truck from Modern fire department in the state was intended to aid firefighting efforts in the state.
He noted that responsibility for firefighting is a joint effort between federal, state and local governments.
“The fire truck that we are putting into service is a huge national asset, requiring optimal maintenance and refueling. We implored the indulgence of the state government to facilitate the deployment of utility vehicles to support the operation of the vehicle.
“Sir, we want you to sponsor state fire service personnel for local and overseas training given the emerging trends in firefighting and the inclusion of the federal fire service on the Council. state security, ”said CG Ibrahim Liman.
When the fire truck was put into service, the state governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku, said that shortly after taking office as executive governor in 2015, he realized the need to overhaul the state fire service system in order to achieve core goals the service for the protection of life and property in the event of fire, as well as the rescue and protection of persons involved in traffic accidents and emergency situations.
“We overhauled the state fire department by conducting regular officer training, ensuring the efficiency, discipline, increased morale and safety of all firefighters in the state fire command.
We ensure that the Service’s operational vehicles are properly maintained and functioning for rapid crisis response 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chemical foam, a critical component in extinguishing fires, is also constantly purchased to promote a statewide operation, ”said the governor,” revealed the governor.
Governor Ishaku, who praised Minister Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for making the much-desired changes to the Federal Fire Service and other services under the Interior Ministry, noted that things have indeed changed for good since arriving on board.
“I must not fail to appreciate Home Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for instituting the much desired change in the Nigerian security services, especially for the agencies under his leadership.
“I remember his brilliance and eloquence at National Executive Board meetings when he was Governor of Osun State. President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed made the right choice in your selection and the right fruit is there for all, ”said the Governor.
At the event were: the Deputy Governor of the State, Engr. Haruna Manu; the President of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Joseph Kunini; the Chief Justice of the State, Judge Philibus Andhetur; members of the State Executive Council; Director, Department of Joint Services, Ministry of the Interior, Mr. Peter Egbodo; Heads of state security agencies and traditional and religious leaders of the state.
