By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Following frequent fire outbreaks in Kaduna State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday, sensitized residents of the state on fire prevention measures.
NEMA’s sensitization programme followed the record of 436 fire outbreaks, 76 injured and 90 deaths from January to September 2022 in Kaduna State.
NEMA’s North West Zonal Coordinator, Mr Abbani Imam Garki, who led the exercise, said that the programme was aimed at strengthening preparedness, prevention and timely response in addressing fire outbreaks in the state.
He said there is the need to educate the public on how best to curtail fire and re-define the roles of emergency response agencies during fire emergencies.
“NEMA, as the lead disaster and emergency agency, is taking the lead to sensitise state governments, federal and state agencies and organisations as well as individuals to do the needful on time.
He praised sister agencies, stakeholders for their dedication and cooperation during the exercise.
Garki called on residents to imbibe the culture of safety as most fire incidents are human induced.
The NEMA Zonal Coordinator said the sensitisation was part of a three-day stakeholders’ workshop in collaboration with Christian Aid/COOPI and the Federal Fire Service.
Controller, Safety Awearness and Environmental Support Initiative (SAESI), Yahaya Mohammed said that the season of harmattan needs more sensitization on safety tips on fire incidents.
“We are here to carry out sensitization to residents. We are in dry season and one of the things that happens is fire outbreak, which leads to loss of lives and property,” he said.
He therefore, called on residents to comply with simple safety rules and regulations to avert fire disasters.
Acting Programme Coordinator, Disaster Management and Peace Building, Christian Aid, Tabat Baba, said the sensitisation is the conclusion of the three-day stakeholders programme.
Represented by Gabriel David, he said the NGO has proved that it is fully in business when it comes to disaster management in the state.
“We have reviewed what we learnt from the 2022 flood activities in Nigeria and also validated a baseline survey that we conducted to assess the Disaster Risk Reduction capacity of stakeholders in Zaria LGA.”
Other activities during the sensitisation were simulation exercise, road walk and distribution of flyers.
Present at the programme, were officials from the Federal Fire Safety, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Police, Red Cross Society, members of the Disaster Mitigation Management Platform (DMMP) and other disaster management organisations.
