The Sokoto State Fire Service has recorded eight deaths and
saved 927 lives in 572 fire incidents in 2019, according to Malam Nuhu Lawal,
the State Fire Prevention Officer.
Lawal told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in
Sokoto that properties valued at N4.5 billion were lost while the agency was
able to save N4.7 billion worth of valuables during the period under review.
The official blamed the fire incidents on electrical sparks
and negligence, urging residents to be vigilant and embrace safety measures.
He said that the organisation had functional fire-fighting
vehicles, water trucks back-ups and operational fire stations equipped with
modern fire-fighting tools within Sokoto metropolis.
According to him, the Gov Aminu Tambuwal-led administration
bought additional 10 new vehicles, refurbished the existing ones and
constructed eight fire stations.
“The administration also drilled two boreholes and provided
two water tankers as back-ups, to facilitate the agency’s activities,” he said.
He also lauded the state government for the prompt supply of
chemicals used in putting out fires as well as the provision of rain boots and
jackets.
The Fire Prevention Officer said that each of the 23 local
government areas in the state had a fire-fighting vehicle, but lamented their
poor use by the local authorities.
He also decried the poor maintenance of fire fighting
gadgets in the local government areas, and regretted that fire fighting
officers were not motivated to put in their best.
Mr Mustapha Abubakar, Operation Officer, Sokoto State Fire
Service, who also spoke with NAN, cautioned members of the public against late
reporting of fire incidents.
He also cautioned members of the public against blocking the
movement of fire fighting engines during incidents.
Abubakar cautioned people against engaging the inferno
before informing the agency, saying that the situation usually lead to the
escalation of the fire before the arrival of the fire fighters.
He said that additional 50 fire men had been recruited to
beef the agency’s strength, adding that new offices had also been established
at Mana, Bado and Kalambaina towns.
He appealed to the state government to provide the
organisation with an ambulance to ease services to victims and minimise the
danger involved in waiting for hospitals to provide the facility
0 Comments