By Remi Johnson
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has called on Abuja Markets Management Limited, (AMML)to ensure that regular fire surveillance are in place for quick response.
The Director-General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, stated this at an emergency coordination meeting on fire prevention and mitigation in the territory in Abuja.
He urged Market Traders Association to take greater responsibility for the safety of markets.
“It is a duty of the management of Abuja Markets leadership to ensure that operators in the market are educated on fire risk and are also carried along in all programmes and activities aimed at ensuring fire safety,”
He also advised the FCT residents to equip their home with fire safety equipment for emergency response.
Alhaji Idriss noted that with the dry season, there was need for people to take caution in homes, markets and other public places due to prevailing weather condition.
Alhaji Idriss pointed out that some fire incidents, especially in markets, are wilful acts carried out by hoodlums to pave way for looting.
According to him, FCTA had commenced plans to carefully identify markets that are prone to incessant fire outbreak with a view to nip the situation in the board.
Earlier, the Acting Director, FCT Fire Service, Mr Sanni Saidu urged residents to be more safety conscious by cross checking all appliances before going out of homes or offices.
Also, the acting Managing Director, Abuja Markets Management Ltd.Alhaji Ibrahim Uzaibat, stressed the need for every shop to have fire extinguisher and train traders on how to use them in case of any fire incident.