By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji, has said that the newly procured 15 rapid firefighting mini trucks by the service has the capacity to navigate crowded terrains.
The CG stated this on Thursday in Abuja when the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade paid a maiden visit to the Service’s headquarters.
He said the service can now boast of going to places which were previously inaccessible to the larger firefighting appliances.
He said that the ministry recently commissioned Nigeria’s first Metropolitan Fire Station located in Kubwa, Abuja.
He further said 12 other Metropolitan Fire Stations are at various stages of completion.
Speaking further on the achievements of the service, the CGF said the service recently completed and commissioned the first Fire House props in West Africa located inside the National Fire Academy Sheda.
“Procurement of 15 Ford Built Rapid Intervention Vehicles, already delivered to the Service awaiting commissioning and deployment.
“Approval of Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to include the Service Rapid Intervention Vehicle in his motorcade. This is the first in the history of Nigeria.
“Other firsts include celebration of the International Firefighter’s day
“Approval of a large expanse of land for the building of the Service National Headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, FCT”.
Responding, the permanent secretary called on State Governments to assist the service in carrying out its duties.
She harped on the need for training and retraining of officers to make them more equipped.
“Your mandate is very important to Nigeria as a whole. I don’t know of anything more frightening by fire. It is destructive and quick to do so but yet when you are called, you move in immediately. Therefore, I say well done.
It is therefore important that citizens of Nigeria know and are assured that fire will not ravage them. But peradventure there is a fire outbreak, that the FFS will be able to put out the fire before lives and property are lost.
“Building codes are not usually obeyed and when there is fire, big trucks cannot go through. So these mini trucks can go through such areas but 15 are not enough. That cannot even serve the FCT alone. We need more. Therefore, funding, housing, training and everything that can build up the morale of firemen have to be taken into account.”
