In response to the rising cases of fire incidents across markets in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Administration on Thursday, introduced a fire monitoring technology at the popular Wuse market.
Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Felix Obuah, said the technology which is first-of-its-kind, will detect and alert Fire Services, in case of a fire outbreak in the market.
Obuah, who spoke to journalists during the FCT Fire Service 2024/2025 Market Sensitization Campaign Flag Off at the Wuse Market, explained that the Fire Router technology, would be installed across other markets in the FCT.
He however encouraged traders to ensure they install fire extinguishers in their shops, to help with fighting fires before the arrival of trained Fire fighters, adding that while the installation of the device was a social service of the administration, the traders would be required to pay “a little coin”.
“There is a new technology, this is first of its kind. You do not need to call; you do not even need to be there. Once you close your shop, and that device is in your shop, if there is any outbreak of fire, it will alert the fire services, and immediately, whether you are there or not, they (Fire Service) will move. That is a new system we have just introduced. You saw us exhibit it right away. As I pressed the SOS button, the office is already alerted, and they were already on their way. This is an invention that is second to none. Nowhere has it been installed, this is the first time we are doing it, and it is being installed in Wuse market.
“And that is why we have said apart from this, all shops should also try as much as possible to install fire extinguishers, so that in case anything happens, they are the first fire fighters that will take off before the Fire Service will come. It will be provided for all shops and all the markets. It is a show of social services we have done. If they have to pay, it is just a little coin”, he said.
In his address, the Comptroller of the FCT Fire Service, Zaccheaus Adebayo, emphasised the importance of fire preventive measures, noting the commitment of the Service to preventing fires across the Territory.
“As firefighters, we witness the aftermath of these tragedies; traders losing their goods and investments, families and communities facing emotional and economic hardship; lives sometimes being irreparably altered. This is why we cannot overemphasize the importance of preventive measures, and why this sensitization campaign has become an integral part of our operations”, he said.
Also speaking, the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abuja Markets Management Limited, Onya Ojiji, said his team would begin the enforcement of proper storage or outright removal of fire-inducing materials in the markets, as well as review of shop operators and security guards’ knowledge of fire safety matters in the market, adding that the sensitization program was part of efforts to achieve these objectives.
