Abuja Shop Inferno: FG Charges Markets, Shop Owners On Fire Fighting Gadgets
- Orders probe into the fire incident
The Federal Government has again charged market operators and shop owners to be fire conscious by installing fire fighting equipment in shops to guard against fire incidents.
Comes on the heels of the recent fire incident that engulfed the popular Karimo market, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the government said the installation of fire fighting equipment by shop owners and market authorities has become imperative to protect lives and property.
A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Bashir Nura Alkali quoted the Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq, as expressing concerns over the incessant fire incidents across the country.
The statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Rhoda Iliya, also explained that the Minister has already ordered an investigation into the latest fire incident in the market, even as she stressed the urgent need to have fire fighting equipment installed in shops and strategic areas within the markets.
The Minister, who cautioned against cooking and improper handling of electrical appliances within markets to prevent fire emergencies and disasters, sympathised with the victims of the fire incident that razed the market.
“The minister is worried about the frequent fire disaster in markets across the country and called on shop owners and market authorities to be fire-conscious to protect lives and property.
“She advised that fire fighting equipment should be installed in shops and at strategic areas in the markets. She also cautioned against cooking and improper handling of electrical appliances in markets to prevent fire disaster,” the statement said.
While commending the combined efforts of firefighters from government agencies, companies, and individuals that brought the fire under control, the Minister assured that “the cause of the fire will be investigated by the relevant government authority.”
According to reports, the inferno which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, March 31, 2022, affected many shops and destroyed goods worth millions of Naira.
