The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has intensified efforts to prevent fire outbreaks in markets, offices, homes and other public places in the territory.
The director of Forecasting Response Mitigation of FEMA, Mrs. Florence Wenegieme, who led a team to sensitise traders and markers at Kubwa Village Market on how to prevent fire outbreaks yesterday, warned against the selling of kerosene, diesel and engine oil in the market.
Wenegieme frowned at the return of people selling petroleum products in the market after the 2022 explosion which was caused by kerosene sale.
“Today, we are in Kubwa Market, you will recall that some time ago there was a kerosene explosion in this Kubwa village market and to be specific at this location.
“This is the location where a lady was selling kerosene and another woman was frying bean cakes and there was an explosion and we were involved in the rescue operation.
“Since then we used to come here to carry out sensitization, to talk to them and advise them on the dos and don’ts in terms of disasters of different kinds,” she said.
She further said during the dry season, the agency discouraged traders from selling petroleum products in different locations because such products are supposed to be sold only at filling stations.
“But if you look around you will see people selling petroleum products like kerosene, diesel, and engine oil, under the high-tension wire.
“Looking in front of us we have a generator mechanic and somebody selling kerosene right beside a transformer and under the high-tension wire.
“That is why the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, minister of state, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, permanent secretary of FCTA, Mr. Olusade Adesola and director-general of FEMA, Abbas Idriss, directed us to come out immediately to advice residents on how to mitigate the incidence of fire outbreak in the territory,” she said.
She assured that the agency would continue to intensify efforts to rid the territory of all kinds of disasters to save lives and property.
“What we are doing here is a continuation of the dry season sensitisation which we started in November 2022.
“We have been moving from one market to another to enlighten traders on how they can prevent fire outbreaks in markets,” she said.
Earlier, the divisional fire officer in Kubwa, Uwadoneh Idorenyi, emphasised the need for traders and the FCT residents to avoid all risk factors associated with fire outbreaks.
She also advised residents to have fire blankets in their kitchens, avoid storing petroleum products at home and switch off all electrical appliances whenever they are going out.
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