NEMA Partners Market Authorities On Fire Prevention Strategies

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has intensified collaborative efforts with traders, market authorities and other stakeholders on the precautionary measures against fire outbreaks.

The Acting Zonal Head, NEMA Operation Office Sokoto, Dr Kofoworola Soleye, said this at a sensitisation campaign on fire prevention strategies at Sokoto Central Market on Thursday.

A statement issued by NEMA Sokoto Information Officer, Aliyu Mohammed and forwarded Solacebase on Saturday, said Soleye who was represented by Tukur Abubakar, Unit Head of Planning, appealed for maximum support from all stakeholders.

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It Dr Soleye said the idea of such collaborative efforts was in line with NEMA’s policy thrust which emphasised stakeholders participation.

According to Soleye, “This is a proactive approach to disaster management, unlike the popular assumption that NEMA is mainly concerned with relief intervention.

“The agency also gives priority to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), which a popular concept worldwide that focuses on reducing the risks of disaster ahead of its occurrence.’’

The NEMA Boss in Sokoto said, the dry season is prone to fire outbreaks especially around the states in the zone and many people are ignorant of it.

“NEMA is mandated to educate and inform the public on Disaster prevention and control measures.

“It will empower them with the required knowledge to reduce the impact or occurrences of fire outbreaks in their shops and homes, ” he said.

In the statement, he urged shop owners, traders, management and other stakeholders in the market to maximally practice all they learnt from the experts.

The statement noted that Head of Operations, Sokoto State Fire Service, Mr Mustapha Abubakar, and Public Relations Officer Federal Fire Service Sokoto, Isma’ila Suru, identified congestion and poor road passages as major challenges to fighting infernos within market places.

It added that Acting General-Manager, Central Market Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Aliyu, commended NEMA for the exercise and gave assurance of more support to agencies toward ensuring that markets free from fire incidents.