By Palma Ileye
Controller General, Federal Fire Service, FFS, Engr. Jaji Abdulganiyu has assured of fire safety during and after the forthcoming general elections also tasking personnel to be efficient in ensure seamless service delivery.
Speaking yesterday during a One Day Brainstorming Session on Providing Fire Cover for the Forthcoming General Election held at its Headquarters in Abuja, Jaji noted that the recent fire attacks on INEC offices and personnel nationwide have heightened the need to seek solutions to these problem in order to ensure the safety of infrastructures of the electoral body, personnel and the integrity of the electoral process.
He stated that the Service, was dedicated to ensure that resources were properly allocated and always prepared to respond to any potential fire related issues that may arise adding that it will put everything in place to ensure the safety of polling units, ward, Local Government and State collation centres, as well as providing a secure environment for citizens to cast their votes.
He explained that to achieve safety during and after the polls, the Service has set up a comprehensive fire safety plan which includes: Increased fire safety inspection, Fire prevention and protection measures and increased presence of fire personnel in areas prone to fire outbreaks.
The CG also noted that to comprehensively achieve the above listed, the Service will ensure that; Fire personnel will be on standby to respond to any fire incidents that may occur during and after the election; Fire safety education and awareness campaigns will also be conducted to ensure that citizens are well informed on fire safety measures and protocols; The Federal Fire Service will work closely with local fire departments and other emergency services to ensure that all fire incidents are dealt with swiftly and effectively.
The Fire Service helmsman further condemned all attacks on fire fighters in the strongest possible terms warning that it will take appropriate action against the perpetrators of the attackers within the confines of the law adding that, “We will not tolerate any form of violence against those who risk their lives to protect us and our communities. We must ensure that our fire fighters are safe and secure while they are at the job.”
“As relevant stakeholders in the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, ahead of the 2023 general election, the recent attacks on INEC Offices across the country places a burden on our shoulder as fire officers to ensure that this ugly situation is nip to the bud.”
He also stated that President Muhammadu Buhari led administration has extended unwavering support to the Service saying, “This was again demonstrated when the FFS received 8 state-of-the-art Fire Trucks, whilst expecting 15 Rapid Intervention Vehicles in the coming days.
“I am pleased to inform our audience that the Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has graciously approved with immediate effect the deployment of the trucks to the following states: 2 no are to be deployed to Kano and 1 no each to Kwara, Oyo, Edo and Lagos. This will go a long way to further strengthen our fire fighting infrastructure across the country especially as the election draws closer.”
He added that this this will go a long way to further strengthen the fire fighting infrastructure across the country especially as the election draws closer.