13 new fire stations under construction nationwide – FFS boss

By Ukpono Ukpong

As part of efforts to deliver on its mandate of ensuring the protection of lives and property of Nigerians against fire outbreak, the Controller General, Federal Fire Service, Abdulganiyu Jaji, has said that no fewer than 13 fire stations are currently at different stages of completion across the country.

Speaking at a media parley in Abuja to his 100 days in office, Jaji disclosed that put of the 13 Zonal commands under construction, six had reached substantial levels while the remaining seven are still at an early construction stage.

However, he expressed optimism that the fire stations when completed will help to reduce the response time to fire emergencies.

Speaking further he assured that the FFS under his leadership will ensure a robust partnership in the area of Public Private Partnership thereby tapping into the enormous resources of the Private Sector to further develop the safety industry.

The Daily Times gathered that the six developed fire stations are in Abuja, Kano, Bauchi, Enugu, Makurdi, and Abeokuta.

While the Abuja fire station located in Kubwa area has reached 75 per cent completion, that of Makurdi stands at 90 per cent, Bauchi; 87, Kano; 80 per cent, Enugu; 65 per cent and Abeokuta; 40 per cent.

The upcoming constructions are in Minna, Sokoto, Yola, Owerri, Oshogbo, Asaba and Uyo.”

He also disclosed that the service has purchased over 20 state of the art firefighting trucks that would be deployed to state commands including the newly constructed stations on completion.

“As at today, the service has 69 state of the art firefighting appliances, 20 Basic Life support Ambulance, 15 water tenders and 15 water tankers and hopefully before the end of next year we are expecting 45 additional appliances. 1 hydraulic platform in Lagos with approval to procure another 3 in the coming days.

“State Commands across all the State of the Federation including the FCT. 6 training schools which are spread across the six Geo- Political Zones.

“These and many more have completely transformed the Service and we at the Service are forever grateful to President Muhammad Buhari and the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.”

He said that in the last 100 days in office, through a robust Public Private Partnership, two new private fire stations have been constructed while other private station are at different stages of construction.

“Two new private fire stations for example DIFF Medical and Nigeria Export Processing Zones, have been established, while we have other private station construction ongoing. The need for more Fire Stations cannot be overemphasised as it will go a long way to reduce response time during fire emergencies.

“We have enhanced the capacity of our men by training and re-training to ensure the safety of lives and property. This area has necessitated our collaboration with NAFFCO in UAE and Turkish Army during my visit to Konya State especially in the area of CBRN ie. Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear firefighting.

“We have also actualised our collaboration with Nigerian Air force on the establishment of Aerial Fire Response Unit. This has also enjoyed a major boost during my trip to the California National Guard on capacity Building for our Men on Aerial Firefighting.

“Pursue with vigour the enactment of the Fire Service Act and other extant laws. On the 16th of June, 2022, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the repeal of the 60-year-old Fire Service Act and the enactment of the Federal Fire and Rescue Service Establishment Act.

“Ongoing deployment of massive public enlightenment campaign on fire prevention, control and mitigation across the country. Enforcing compliance of the Fire Safety Code and other extant Laws.

“Boosting the morale of our men for efficient response to fire incidents at public and private buildings as well as leveraging on technology to enhance our statutory mandate and efficient service delivery, amongst others.

On recruitment, he debunked rumors of recruitment or replacement of citizens into the service.

“No official recruitment or replacement is ongoing in the service because we need to establish waivers.

“We also need to get funds that will be used to train recruits as we have not gotten any of this so until this is established before recruitment or replacement can take place,” he said.

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Jaji said that the reviewed fire safety code, Standard of Operating Procedure and Acts guiding the service was yet to be approved by the Federal Government.

He however, said that the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was keen on approving those laws in order to strengthen the service but is yet to endorse it for implementation.

“People build buildings with no recon to the fire safety code and this is because of the absence of the code.

“By the establishment of the laws in the code it will make a developer know that from the design stage of a building you need to seek the approval of the fire service till completion stage.

“This will ensure that the fire safety features that ought to be in the building are present and will make investigation easier in case of a fire incident,” he said.

He warned that the service would no longer condone attacks on firemen during rescue operations.