Harmattan Season: 70% Nigerians Lack Basic Fire Disaster Management Skills

The officer in charge of federal fire service in Kano Oyefola Kazeem said over 70% of Nigerians do not have basic fire disaster management skills.

He said all hands must be on deck to raise consciousness of Nigerians on how to prevent and manage fire outbreak effectively.

Mr Kazeem disclosed this on Monday at the opening ceremony of 2018 fire safety awareness campaign week held in Kano.

He revealed that the campaign is an annual week long event set aside to sensitize people and raise awareness on dangers of fire outbreak either at home or working place.

“The campaign was aimed at educating people on how to handle fire with basic fighting equipment. So as to minimise the extent of fire outbreak damage”, He said.

Mr Kazeem observed that all critical stakeholders such as National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Red Cross Society have important role to play in public sensitization and enlightenment against fire outbreak.

According to him one cannot adequately discuss security issues without capturing fire disaster, as fire destroyed lives and properties.

In his address, the federal fire service zonal commanding officer in charge of northwest zonal command Thompson Muhammad described carelessness and accident as major cause of fire outbreak in Nigeria.

“People recklessly put gas cylinder in their kitchen, or put on a candle and fall asleep which in many instances causes fire outbreak at homes,” Mr Muhammad.

In a remark, the managing director of Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) Ibrahim Kabara acknowledged the contribution of federal fire service in putting off several fire incidents at schools, Sabongari and Kantin Kwari markets.

The campaign featured public sensitization at Kurmi market, Hasiya Bayero paediatric hospital and Sa’datum Rimi College of Education and 10 kilometer walk.