The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said the Federal Fire Service (FFS), will soon play a major role in national development when the bill on fire and rescue service is passed.
The Minister stated this on Wednesday, in Abuja, while commissioning six firefighting trucks and 15 Ford Rapid Response Vehicles at The Federal Fire Service Headquarter, Garki, Abuja.
He said, “For any country to attain its potential, fire service cannot be relegated. I say this to the FFS, you are a sleeping giant. The time to wake up is now.
“There is a direct correlation between sophistication, industrialization and fire service because the more you grow as an economy, the more you need to expand the cost of your fire service. Fire service is directly related to development in any nation.”
The minister warned that the country cannot continue to be nonchalant to the issues of fire.
“As an individual, I believe that the FFS should be the major employer of labour in Nigeria. All we need to do is put on our thinking caps.
“It is time for the FFS to rise to her responsibility, which is not just about combating fire. It has to do with forecasting dangers. We have to migrate from the era of corrective activities to the era of being proactive which will lead us to preventive measures that can save us millions of Naira.”
The minister added that the strength of the fire service lies in the decline of fire outbreaks and not the number of fires you fought within a period.
He emphasised, ”Extinguishing fires, saving lives and property, rescuing people during accidents and protecting people in the event of other emergencies remained part of the responsibilities of fire fighters.
“I need to have the full range of foreseeable fires, the areas and what we have to combat them. It is very important that this becomes your next line of action. As government agencies, we put in more efforts in solving problems rather than planning to prevent them.
“The FFS must work very closely with NSCDC for security cover. I understand the issues that our FFS men gave attacks when they go out on their legitimate duties but with the NSCDC providing such cover, such attacks will be reduced.”
Also, the Controller General Federal Fire Service Engr Jaji O. Abdulganiyu, said the commissioning of the firefighting assets and subsequent deployment will position the Service for better service delivery while sending a signal to the general public of the administration’s commitment to protect lives and property.
“The Firefighting trucks and Rapid Response Vehicles will provide firemen ample opportunities for time-saving, professional and efficient firefighting and rescue operations across the country,” he said.
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