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Tag: Federal Fire Service

  • Breaking: Buhari appoints new acting Controller General, Federal Fire Service

    President Muhammad Buhari has appointed a new acting Controller General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service (FFF) in person of Liman AIhaji Ibrahim.

    Before his appointment, Ibrahim was the Assistant Controller General in charge of Policy, Regulatory and Inspectorate.

    Read Also: Why Buhari won, by Senator Uba

    The FFF Public Relations Officer, Anani Danlami confirmed the development to our correspondent on Friday through a telephone conversation.

    Ibrahim takes over from Mr Joseph Anebi.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Fire stations needed in 21 states – Fire CG

    Fire stations needed in 21 states – Fire CG

    The Controller-General, Federal Fire Service,  Mr Joseph Anebi, has urged National Assembly to speedily amend Fire Service Act 1963 to encourage the establishment of federal fire stations across the country.

    Anebi made the call when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Interior visited Fire Service headquarters on Monday in Abuja for oversight.

    He said that currently, only 15 states in the country had fire service stations.

    Anaebi said that Nigerians were vulnerable to dangers of fire outbreak and needed necessary precautionary measures were adopted.

    “Cases of fire outbreaks in Nigeria which always leave a lot of destruction in its wake, both in human lives and property abound in recent time.

    “So, we are concerned about the absence of functional fire service stations in some states because we are concerned about every Nigerian.

    “Some states don’t have functional fire fighting equipment and you need to also help us talk to the governors because when we approach them they think we are coming to collect their job,” he said.

    The fire boss also urged Nigerians to subscribe to the Fire Alert System (FAS) application introduced by the service to fight fire outbreak.

    He said that the call was in view of the need to facilitate prompt response to incidents of fire across the country.

    According to him, the FAS application is designed to automatically trigger an alert to the fire service office whenever smoke is dictated.

    “By this alert on our system, we will be able to identify the exact location of the fire outbreak with an indication of the phone number of the place.

    “While the application is alerting the fire service office, it is also sending an alert to the owner of the house on fire.

    “Any home, institution, or facility that subscribes to this application is safe,” Anaebi said.

    The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Adams Jagaba, said that the house was committed to amending the laws to ensure enhanced performance by the fire service in the country.

    Jagaba said that the existing Fire Service Act was obsolete and did not protect the 2,180 members of staff of the Federal Fire Service.

    According to him, the bill must take care of the welfare of the staff of the Federal Fire Service; it is unacceptable that little or no compensation for officers who sustain an injury in the course of duty is provided.

  • Troops to begin solidarity march for democracy across Nigeria – DHQ

    Troops to begin solidarity march for democracy across Nigeria – DHQ

    There would be movements of troops across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, in support of the nation’s constitution and democracy, the Defence Headquarters announced Thursday.

    The march for democracy according to the Director of Defence Information, Major Gen John Enenche, would involve the Nigerian Army, The Nigerian Air Force, The Nigerian Navy, The Nigerian Police Force, The Brigade of Guards, The Department of States Security, DSS, The National Intelligency Agency, The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC).

    Others are the Nigerian Customs Service, The Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Prisons Service, the Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Federal Fire Service.

    The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA would not be left out in the march which Major Gen. Enenche, said would hold quarterly henceforth.

    Enenche however did not mention whether the march was in response to the tension generated in the polity following the alert sounded by the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai that some civilians were approaching soldiers for selfish political interests, nor was it in response to the quit notice given to the Igbo ethnic group by the Arewa Youth Forum.

    Major Gen. Enenche who addressed journalists as the Chairman of the Forum of Security and Response Agencies, noted that the movement of troops throughout Nigeria would begin on 1st of July.

    Supported at the briefing by the Spokespersons of all the aforementioned agencies, Major Gen. Enenche added that the march was not just for physical fitness of members of Security and Response Agencies, but also for upholding the constitution of the country.

    Asked whether the march was in response to hate speeches that have been generating tension in the polity, Gen Enenche said no.

    He maintained that it is a corporate excersize meant to foster interaction and good understanding among the Security and Response Agencies, especially in the face of comtemporary security challenges in the country.

    Gen. Enenche said the exercize tagged “Together We Are” would be conducted on quartely basis and the slogan would be Together We Are: Protecting Lives and Property,  Ensuring Unity and Progress,  Supporting Democracy,  Upholding the Constitution, and Defending National Interests.

    Although Gen. Enenche did not disclose the routes of the solidarity march for security reasons, he however said there was no need for panic regarding the exersize.

    His words “The physical fitness of members of the Security and Response Agencies is germaine to the effectiveness of its members, especially in the face of contemporary security challenges in the Country. In the same vein, group interaction through an exercise such as route march is an enhancer of espirit de corps and harmony among members of the Security and Response Agencies.

    “It is in view of these, that a Route March Exercise titled “TOGETHER WE ARE” is to be conducted on quarterly basis involving the Military, Para Military and Security Responses Agencies in Nigeria. The slogan for the Exercise is: ”TOGETHER WE ARE ”

    a. Protecting Lives and Property.  b. Ensuring Unity and Progress.  c. Supporting Democracy.  d. Upholding the Constitution.  e. Defending National Interests.

    “Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  Long Live the Security Agencies.

    ” The maiden “TOGETHER WE ARE” route march exercise will take place across the Nation on 1st July 2017. The general public is hereby notified that there will be movement of troops and other security agencies in the course of this exercise.

    ” Your cooperation and understanding is highly solicited. Be rest assured that; Together we, as members of the Security and Response Agencies in Nigeria are always there to; Protect  Lives and Property; Ensure Unity and Progress, Support Democracy, Uphold the Constitution and Defend our National interests. ”

    Gen. Enenche appealled to the media to assist in passing the right message across to Nigerians, saying at this period in the nation’s history we should be working together for the peace, progress and stability of the country.

  • WAEC loses 10 computers to fire in Kaduna

    WAEC loses 10 computers to fire in Kaduna

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), says it lost 10 computers holding vital records and information about all schools in the zone when fire gutted part of its office in Kaduna on Tuesday morning.

    The Zonal Coordinator of WAEC in Kaduna, Fedelis Gaiya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Kaduna on Tuesday that the fire which occurred at about 9. 50 a.m. probably started from an electrical spark or fault.

    “We are running on generator. When   they restored electricity, we saw smoke all over the place.

    “We are grateful that no life was lost because most of our staff members were out to their various examination centres.’’

    He, however, said that the incident will not affect the ongoing examination because the question papers were safe.

    He commended the Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Air Force, State University and State Fire Service for responding fast to the situation.

    “We are grateful to all the fire service departments that responded very fast to the situation. Otherwise, the damage would have been more than this.’’

    Deputy Controller of Federal Fire Service, Thompson Mohammed, reiterated the need for fire extinguishers to be installed in offices to reduce the rate of damages caused by fire.

    “I am sure if there were fire extinguishers here with trained men, the damage would have been minimal.’’

    He urged them to liaise with the service to train their staff on how to operate fire extinguishers, adding that “it is committed to discharging its duties effectively and promptly.’’

  • NAICOM, Fire service, NIA to enforce public building insurance

    NAICOM, Fire service, NIA to enforce public building insurance

    The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), in collaboration with the Federal Fire Service and the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), will henceforth enforce the public building insurance in the country.

    Mr Mohammed Kari, the NAICOM Commissioner for Insurance, made this known at a news briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to Kari, Section 65 (4) of the Insurance Act, 2003 provides that the insurance industry, through the regulator, supports the activities of Fire Service.

    “This is supposed to be done through the regulator’s contribution of part of the insurance premium that was paid to fire underwriters,’’ he said.

    Kari said since 2003 the section of the law was not fully implemented, adding that with the recent consultations, an agreement on a way forward had been reached.

    “We have resolved to start afresh from January, 2017 to ensure insurance companies clarify their returns vis-a-vis the premium income they make from insurances of public buildings.

    “We have also agreed for the industry to make contribution to the fire funds.

    “We will co-opt the fire services and the insurance association through the NIA to manage the funds for the benefit and development of fire service across the nation.

    “We will consider this as a formal kick-off of that creation and we have agreed from today, to provide clarity as to what is qualified to be a public building.

    “There will be series of sensitisation that will follow and no consumer or client will be left with any doubt to whether his premises fall under the description and intention of our law,’’ he said.

    Kari said that anyone who failed to respect the law would “face severe consequences by the enforcement agency which in this case is the fire service.

    Also, Mr Joseph Anebi, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, said that commencement of the enforcement was long overdue, but a welcome development.

    Anebi said that if properly implemented, the enforcement would help to generate funds for the insurance industry.

    He said, “We are all aware of the havoc that fire have caused within the nation and you will see that most of this places where you have fire incidents, have no insurance cover.

    “Sections 48 and 89 of National Fire Code give the fire service the power to carry out risk assessment of public building and request for insurance certificate.

    “If this is properly done, you will see that a lot of money will come into the insurance industry.

    “Since we have agreed today to collaborate and work together, things will change for the better.’’

    Anebi said that some states lacked modern fire equipment which had hindered effective performance of their duties.

    He said that with funds generated from the enforcement, the organisation would be able to fund the states to better carry out their duties of protecting lives and property.

    In his remarks, the NIA Chairman, Mr Eddie Efekoha, said the industry was happy to identify with the move that would help to minimise the effect of fire in the country.

    Efekoha said,“ We (the insurance industry) offer insurance services and in particular fire insurance, but we are not so interested in seeing all these buildings in flames.

    “Once there is destruction, a national waste occurs as money that should be devoted to developmental projects will be used to reconstruct a property that had once existed.

    “So, we are happy to identify with this move that will help to minimise the effect of fire in the country.’’

  • Nigeria lost N5.95b to fire incidents in five years

    Nigeria lost N5.95b to fire incidents in five years

    The country lost over N5.95billion to different fire incidents which ravaged parts of the country from 2012 till date, Mr. Femi Young, Executive Director, Safety Consultants and Solution Providers Limited has said.

    Citing statistics from the Federal Fire Service, Young said, in Lagos alone, five major fire incidents led to loss of property valued at several billions of naira just as similar incidents were recorded in other parts of the country.

    The statistics also showed that 185 lives were lost in 470 fire incidents in same year with the oil and gas sector recording the highest incidents. Besides, statistics further revealed that private residences recorded 96 fire incidents that claimed eight lives, while 10 lives were saved in the fire incidents in the period under review.

    Young who lamented that Nigerians have fatalistic approach to safety issues, said it becomes necessary for Nigerians to understand that they could take their destiny in their own hands.

    To stem such incidents, Young has hinted of plans by his organisation to host the maiden West Africa National Fire Protection Association Conference with the theme, ‘Building NFPA Compliant Fire Safety Systems.’

    The conference, he said, will draw leading fire safety experts across the United States of America who would educate Nigerians, especially professionals, on latest developments on safety measures and safety gadgets that prevent hazards, both at the home and the workplace.

    Among experts expected is Russell B. Leavitt. Russ is the Executive of Telgian Corporation, an international firm providing fire, life safety.

  • Fire guts Abuja NNPC mega station

    Fire guts Abuja NNPC mega station

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega station at the Central Business District in Abuja has been gutted by fire.

    A member of staff at the mega station who preferred anonymity told the News agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Monday that the fire started around 10 p.m. ‎when a tanker was discharging fuel to the tanks of the petrol station.

    The source said that no casualty nor injury was‎ recorded but noted that some sections of the filling station were affected by the inferno.

    It added that the fact that it was weekend and late in the evening, reduced the risk of casualties and significant damage.

    He said that officers and men of the Federal Fire Service Abuja were on hand to tackle the fire and helped in preventing it from spreading to neighbouring buildings.

    Some eye witnesses confirmed that the prompt response of the fire service helped the situation.

    Yarima sani, an eye witness, said, “I was driving close with the intention to fill up my tank when we were asked to use a different road that there was fire at the station.

    “I parked and trekked and I saw the fire service people were already there helping to quench the fire,” he said.

    He added that some security men helped in controlling traffic.

    Commenting on the situation, Mr. Collins Elechi, Public Relations Officer, Federal Fire Service Abuja, confirmed the incident to NAN.

    He said that the fire started around 9.28 p.m. while a tanker was discharging product. He said the service received a distress call immediately and quickly deployed its men to the scene.

    “Our fire fighters responded immediately to the fire outbreak on Sunday at the mega station.

    “The quick intervention limited the loss to the vehicles alone.

    “It could have been more devastating if it had happened in the day time, especially afternoon, “he said.

    He called on filling stations to be cautious while discharging petroleum products.