Tinubu has included a quick firefighting small truck in his motorcade, the first in Nigerian presidential history. As the FG acquires mini-trucks to access difficult terrain.
Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji, Controller General of the Federal Fire Service FFS, announced this on Thursday in Abuja when the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, paid his first visit to the Service’s headquarters.
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He also stated that the Service has purhased 15 quick firefighting small vehicles to cross crowded terrains that were previously inaccessible to larger firefighting appliances.
While recalling that the ministry recently commissioned Nigeria’s first Metropolitan Fire Station in Kubwa, Abuja, Engr. Jaji stated that 12 other Metropolitan Fire Stations are in the works.
Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s approval to include the Service Rapid Intervention Vehicle in his motorcade.” This is the first in Nigerian history.
Other firsts include Tinubu commemoration of International Firefighters Day. A large tract of land has been approved for the construction of the Service National Headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, FCT, he added.
Jaji, however, stated that the agency has issues such as insufficient manpower, attacks on fire fighters, staff housing needs, a firefighting infrastructure deficit, and budgetary constraints, among others.
Dr. Akinlade, for her part, urged state governments to use the fact that firefighting is on the Concurrent List to help establish and equip more fire stations.
She also emphasized the importance of better training and education of hazards which can occur at any time.
Your mandate is very important to Nigeria as a whole, she remarked. I can’t think of anything scarier than fire. It is damaging and rapid, yet when you are summoned, you respond promptly. As a result, I commend you.
It is therefore critical that Nigerians understand and are persuaded that fire would not destroy them. However, if a fire breaks out, the FFS will be able to put it out before any lives or property are destroyed.
Building codes are rarely followed, and when there is a fire, large trucks cannot pass through. So these little trucks can pass through such regions, but 15 are insufficient. That cannot even serve the FCT on its own.
More is required. As a result, financing, housing, training, and anything else that can boost firefighter morale must be considered.
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We urge state governments to support the FFS and play their respective roles, as firefighting is on the Concurrent List.
I’ve seen highly qualified officers and soldiers, but the problem is that the facilities are overcrowded. This is why the states must also participate.
