FCT fire service saves N8.2bn worth of property in eight months

The Federal Capital Territory Fire Service has revealed that it responded to 271 fire incidents and saved 11 lives between January and August 2024.

The agency’s acting director, Mr. Adebayo Amiola, shared this information during a briefing with journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

Amiola added that the service also saved N8.23bn from the fire incidents, while properties worth N1.96bn were lost within the period.

He advised residents to be cautious by taking fire-preventive measures, especially in markets, to reduce the incidents of fire outbreaks in the territory.

He said that sleeping in the market has been banned in all markets in the FCT, adding that the fire service has gotten ministerial backing to seal non-compliant markets and plazas.

“All the managers of markets have been directed to stop traders from sleeping in the markets. They are expected to go home immediately at the close of trading activities,” he said.

He also said that managers of various markets have been instructed to ensure that no access roads to markets were blocked, either by displaying goods on access roads or erecting makeshift shops.

The acting director also urged motorists to concede the right of way to fire trucks responding to emergencies in the territory.

He reiterated the service’s commitment to ensuring optimal response to fire outbreaks and emergencies.

He commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for supporting the fire service to ensure the safety of lives and property within the territory.

On dry season fire prevention, Amiola said the FCT Fire Service had begun sensitisation of schoolchildren to fire safety management and was expected to step down the knowledge to their peers.

He also said the fire service would begin Fire Safety Week from October 7 to 11.

“Next week, from Monday to Friday, we will be in the town to carry out fire prevention and protection activities. We will go around all the nooks and crannies of FCT.

“Also, we are going to different Area Councils of the FCT, as part of the service’s annual dry season awareness campaign.

“We will enlighten residents on measures to put in place to prevent fire outbreaks in houses and business premises,” he said.

The FCT Administration, on September 29, announced it was set to inaugurate a Fire Emergency Monitoring Gateway to mitigate fire outbreaks ahead of the harmattan season.

The FCT has witnessed an alarming number of fire incidents, particularly in open markets during the dry season, which have devastated properties and livelihoods.

In August, about forty shops in Kaura Modern Market, Abuja, were gutted by fire.