The Enugu State Fire Service says it had sensitised thousands of traders in 44 major markets within the state within the last one year, to minimise the incidence of fire outbreaks.
The state’s Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Chief Okwudili Ohaa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, on Wednesday, that scores of fire extinguishers were distributed freely at each market sensitisation.
Ohaa spoke on the side lines of the forthcoming 2022 World Day of Safety and Health at Work.
The chief fire officer said that the service had equally sensitised 18 secondary schools in the six educational zones of the state, with three schools in each zone in the last one year.
He added that the schools were given fire extinguishers of various sizes to ensure that the students acted out what they had learnt and kept their school environment free from fire outbreaks.
Ohaa said that during the period, the service’s Fire Prevention Unit had taken sensitization and “checked for fire prevention compliance” to over 5,000 business and industrial premises, as well as public and residential buildings in the state.
“We have carried out fire prevention training and sensitisation at military and para-military formations; covered nine council areas and the Enugu state University of Science and Technology with extensive sensitisation in the past one year.
“All these huge investments and more to come would not have been possible without the passion of His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in making the state proactive on issues of safety and security of residents,” he said.
According to him, “The Zero tolerance to Fire Outbreaks’’ campaign of Gov. Ugwuanyi was seriously working and the people could feel it through massive enlightenment/sensitisation, which was touching everybody in the state.
“Our people are also feeling the governor’s impact through the government’s donation of thousands of fire extinguishers free-of-charge to markets, schools, public buildings and other specially designated places.
“He has built new fire stations, bought new fire engines and ensured regular training and re-training of all fire-fighters in the state.
“Recently, the governor instituted building a fire service headquarters in Enugu with facilities for accommodation, training of staff and simulation, among others,” he said.
Ohaa urged residents to abide by all they had learnt from the various sensitisations; follow the fire tips religiously, keep fire/emergency numbers and maintain or buy fire extinguishers, to help fight fire outbreaks at their early stages.
“Our people should imbibe the culture of fire prevention and ensure anything that was highly inflammable was kept away from homes, schools, churches, public places, business and manufacturing areas.
“For no reason should petroleum be stored in the house or shop. Gas cylinders should never be kept in the kitchen; while you should fix any electrical fault at home or office on time,” he added.
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The World Day of Safety and Health at Work is being commemorated every April 28 worldwide.
It is a day set aside by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to raise awareness on safety and health of workers at the work place and in their homes.
