The National Council on Fire Commenced as scheduled, Monday, 12th October, 2015 in Minna, Niger State.Declaring the conference open with the theme: “Fire Safety and Insurance: Insuring public buildings against Fire in Nigeria” His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello ably represented by his Deputy Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Ketso stated that he is hopeful that the council will address pertinent issues concerning the roles of stakeholders in the implementation of the National Fire Safety Code (NFSC) especially in view of the rapid urbanization and industrialization that require safety inputs in the construction industry and town planning and industrial chemical process. He assured the willingness of the state government supporting initiatives that will promote safety of lives and property of the people.
Earlier, the Controller General Federal Fire Service, Anebi Joseph Garba had stated that the enactment of the Insurance Act 2003, which contains provisions for remittance to the Fire Service towards provision and procurement of materials, equipment, vehicles and other logistics support to enable the Fire Service execute its mandate and the National Fire Safety Code whose provisions amongst others makes building insurance a precondition for the issuance of Fire Safety certificate, proper implementation and enforcement, will tip the balance of the ongoing battle against fires in our favour. The CG, drew comparison of two states preparedness with the earthquake that happened in Haiti having a higher impact on both human and material losses while that of the state of California in the USA, wasn’t so. The CG situated the rescue efforts relief of human sufferings to state capacity not that of Federal. He said that the 7th Council’s meeting is apt for all stakeholders to synergize to ensure the overall safety of lives and critical infrastructure of the state.
The permanent secretary, ministry of special duties, Niger State, Hajia Maryam Ndaguye, expressed her gratitude for the meeting of the Directors of Fire Services in the State being a preparatory platform for the National Council on Fire’s Conference later in the week at the same venue: Haske Luxury. She went further to state that the theme of the conference is very apt at this period in the nation’s history, taking into cognizance the damage fire outbreaks have inflicted on the political and social economic lives of the people and investment.
According to her, this conference couldn’t have come at any more appropriate time than now the nation is faced with dwindling resources and the citizens of this country have come to appreciate the need to properly maintain what they have as well as making concerted efforts to curtail property loss through incessant fire outbreaks and other related emergencies in our society. She urged those visiting Minna for the first time to feel at home and make the best of their stay. The opening ceremony of the Conference had an impressive turn out of stakeholders which include: Directors of State Fire Services, Insurance, CBN Safety Staff, NEMA, SEMA, NSCDC, Air Force, Immigration, Police, Insurers Association of Nigeria fire disaster prevention of Nigeria an NGO, and a host of other participants.
Participants and Stakeholders at the conference were also thrilled by a Fire Drama as exhibited by Gwape International group, Minna, Niger State.
Elechi Collins
AC Corporate Services
