By Remi Johnson
The Federal Capital Territory Fire Service Department has given a stern warning to Traders to desist from sleeping in the market premises to prevent loss of lives and property from incidences of fire outbreak.
The Service also encouraged business men and women to insure their businesses and premises, to enable them access some sort of compensation whenever there’s an outbreak.
The Acting Director/ Controller FCT Fire Service, Adebayo Amiola gave the stern warning ahead of dry season and activities lined up to mark FCT Fire Service Week , scheduled to hold next week in Abuja.
Adebayo Amiola also tasked traders Plazas and Filling Stations owners in the territory to mandatorily procure fire extinguishing gadgets, that will help them to promptly contain incidences of fire outbreaks, to prevent it from escalating.
To this end, Amiola directed all the Abuja Market Managers to convey the message to all traders, and emphasized that anyone caught violating the order in any of the business premises would be made to face the penalties.
Amiola who explained that the measure was targeted at minimizing the increasing rate of fire outbreak incidences in market places, revealed that the Service recorded 271 cases of fire outbreak calls and four rescue calls in January to August 2024.
Highlighting some of the safety tips, the FCT Fire Service Controller said “No trader is permitted to sleep in the market henceforth. Let all electrical devices repairs be done by professionals, switch off all appliances when leaving the market, market managers must ensure that water is always available in the market premises and desist from creating makeshift stand on walkways”.
Controller Amiola further advised Abuja residents to call the emergency room as quickly as possible whenever there is fire outbreak with the following numbers.
The FCT Fire Service Emergency Phone Numbers are:
0 209 2906 48; 081 4646 3440; while that of the Federal is 080 3200 3557.
According to Controller Amiola, the service had taken sensitization campaigns to schools on fire safety management, a gesture he said would equally be taken round the six Area Councils to effectively inculcate precautionary tips on the pupils and students.
“We have set the ball rolling already. Yesterday, we were in schools to catch them young. We talk to them about safely management. They are expected to go back home and tell their parents what they learnt.
” From Monday next week, we will be going round to all the nooks and corners to teach people about fire protection, prevention tips. Also we will visit the six area councils…to carry out dry season campaign ” Amiola assured.