Inferno: Fire trucks in mega shopping malls not optional – FCT Minister

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Administration would henceforth ensure that all standard shopping malls must have available fire truck for emergency situation, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, said, in the aftermath of the the fire that engulfed Next Cash N Carry Super market.

Recall that on Christmas boxing day a suspected faulty electrical connection reportedly triggered off the fire incident which razed major part of the multi-million Naira Shopping mall, in the nation’s capital city.

The Minister, who was at the scene of the inferno, also tasked others to take precautionary measures in securing their valuable items.  

Aliyu, in a statement from her S.A Media, Austine Elemue, said “every mall of this standard should have a fire truck available by the side. 

“They should make room for emergency because of situations like this. Even though, our fire men did everything possible to salvage the situation, but it was beyond their control”.  

She however noted that “sadly, this is another unfortunate inferno in a festive period being December 26, 2021. From the report so far, the fire might have occurred much earlier before it was reported.  

“But as soon as it was reported, we must commend the active and quick response of Federal Fire Service, the Navy, Airforce, Army, FEMA, NNPC, NSCDC and other agencies that came to put off the fire. It is unfortunate it got to this extent.  

“But again, we must commend the residents and indigenes of the territory for their collective support. Let us keep this good spirit of oneness. There is no goods that was looted here as being speculated.  

“People used their own cars to secure whatever they can secure and you can see some of the items there. It is not in our character to loot other people’s items, and I call on residents to keep the good spirit”.