Properties worth over N1.967 billion were reportedly lost to various fire outbreaks recorded across the Federal Capital Territory within January to August, 2024.
The FCT Fire Service, reports that a total of 271 fire outbreaks were reported during the period, within which the service saved 11 lives and properties valued at N8,236,517,200.
Acting Director/Controller, FCT Fire Service, Engr. Adebayo Amiola, while briefing journalists on activities of the service, said the administration has come up with a lot of precautionary measures to reduce fire disasters, especially in markets in the territory.
According to him, sleeping in the market has been banned in all the markets in FCT, saying it is now a punishable offence as the Service has gotten ministerial backing to seal off non-compliant markets or plazas.
He added that managers of various markets have been instructed to ensure that nobody should block access roads to markets either by placing goods there or erecting make-shift shops.
He however, enjoined motorists to always give right of way to fire trucks responding to emergencies of any kind in the Territory.
His words: “All the managers of markets have been directed to stop traders from allowing sleeping in the markets, as they are expected to go home immediately at the close of trading activities.”
He vowed to continue all that the Service is doing to make life comfortable through ensuring that its operatives do everything to ensure that there is reduction on the rate of exposure to disaster.
He also commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for doing everything possible to ensure the safety of lives and protection of property within the FCT.
On dry season fire prevention measures, the director said: “We were in a school yesterday, to catch them young, we talked with them fire safety management, and they will go back home and tell their parents.
“Next week from Monday to Friday we will be in the town to carry out fire prevention and protection activities. You will see us going round all the nooks and crannies of FCT, which we tagged: Fire Safety Week.
“Also, we are going to different Area Councils, as it is our practice that every year we carry out dry season awareness campaign, where we will tell them what measures that they need to put in place, to ensure that no fire outbreak is recorded in their domains.”
