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The Federal Government has cautioned the sub-nationals against abdicating their roles in firefighting, urging local and state governments to invest in fire services and emergency responses.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola gave the charge Tuesday in Abuja during the commissioning of the ‘Fire House’ and the Kubwa Metropolitan fire station.
According to him, “The Federal Fire Service FFS has also been recalibrated spread-wise to enhance administrative and operational performances by creating 13 zonal headquarters after it had ensured that it had a presence in all the 36 States of the federation including the FCT. To this extent, it has built 13 zonal headquarters, one of which we are commissioning today.
“State Governments should have well-equipped fire stations in all the local governments, as first responders, to put out fire at the putative stage, before it becomes a huge conflagration and wreak havoc.
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“It is quite unfortunate, but it seems the FFS are now the main fire service providers in many parts of the country. It is my sincere hope that state governments will rise to the occasion and give fire service and emergencies the attention they require, and not abandon the service to the Federal Government”.
He said the new metropolitan station will be a great asset to the community, especially in the Kubwa axis as a hub for fire fighting.
Aregbeshola reiterated the collaboration between the Service and the air force, which he said would see the joint services using helicopters to combat fires.
“The prime challenge of the FFS is on combating wildfires, bushfires and other large-scale fires requiring aerial attacks.
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“We have initiated an arrangement with the Nigeria Air Force to use their planes to water-bomb fires of that nature from the air. It is my sincere hope that the Service will see this through. Our projection is to have our own aircraft in the six geo-political zones of the country.”
In his remarks, Controller General Federal Fire Service, Abdulganiyu Jaji, said the Kubwa Metropolitan Fire Station is a great asset to the local community and will help reduce the risk of fire-related incidents.
According him, the station would serve as a hub for fire services in the zone, providing support and assistance to the local community and also act as a training centre for fire personnel, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge they need to protect lives and property.