REMARKS BY H.E. RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE AT THE INAUGURATION OF A FIRE SERVICE TRUCK DEPLOYED TO PLATEAU STATE BY THE FEDERAL FIRE SERVICE AT THE NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE, LITTLE RAYFIELD JOS ON 16TH JUNE 2021.
It is a great delight to address you at the commissioning of this new fire service
truck deployed to Plateau State by the Federal Fire Service to boost the capacity of the Fire Service in tackling fire outbreaks in the State.
This is a
great initiative that deserves commendation as it addresses an area that is
very important, but rarely given adequate attention. Fire disasters have caused
enormous losses to Nigerians and brought untold hardships to people.
Year in a year out, we are witnesses to infernos that wreak havoc in markets, schools,
offices, factories and residential facilities with attendant loss of properties
and lives. We must therefore sincerely appreciate Mr President for giving
approval for the purchase of these fire trucks that are being distributed
across the country.
For us in
Plateau State, this event comes at a time when we are building more capacity
for emergency response and the enhancement of the security of lives and
properties of our people. While we are making serious efforts to recover from
the impact of COVID- 19, the least one can afford to have is loss or damage to
lives and properties through fire disasters.
The
Government has over the years continued to emphasize the entrenchment of safety
culture and sensitization of our people towards adopting precautionary measures
in their day-to-day activities. We have also emphasized on several occasions
that prevention is better and cheaper than cure.
While The government has made investments in the fire sector, the focus is more on
proactive engagement rather than reactive measures that sometimes come rather
too late when the damage has been done. We consistently advise our citizens to
take advantage of our Early Warning System to sound the alarm whenever they see
something wrong.
For example, we have realized that many people build indiscriminately such that
they obstruct passages for fire service trucks and other emergency responders.
Unfortunately, despite several warnings and appeals, this ugly trend has not
stopped.
I have
therefore directed our development control agency, the Jos Metropolitan
Development Board (JMDB) to intensify the prosecution of offenders who fail to
comply with building plan approvals and town planning provisions. We must stop
those who insist on endangering the generality of citizens simply because of
their selfish desires.
Henceforth,
all building approvals must comply with fire safety protocols as provided in
the Building Code. Applications that fail to provide fire safety measures must
not get approval to build.
In addition, periodic inspection should be carried out to
ensure that people comply with fire safety standards.
When we fail to adhere to safety protocols and urban planning regulations, the purchase of fire fighting vehicles such as the one we are inaugurating today becomes less useful as firefighters cannot access disaster areas to respond to fire emergencies.
I also want to ask our citizens to invest in fire-fighting facilities such as Fire Extinguishers, especially within their homes and offices to enable them to provide the first line of response before the Fire Service arrives in case of any fire outbreak. If we fail to take personal responsibility, avoidable damages will be recorded with a regrettable loss of lives and properties.
This also
brings to mind the issue of obstruction of firefighters whenever there are
fire outbreaks and other emergencies. Regrettably too, in some cases, we find
people attacking firefighters instead of assisting them or at least allowing
them to carry out their assignment. This is a negative development that must
be checked.
While we
understand the fact that the capacity of our fire-fighting agencies is not
where it should be, the response cannot be to intimidate them instead of
encouraging them. These are people who put their lives on the line and approach
danger when others are running away from it. There is no justification to
attack them.
One way we
can address this issue and also create awareness on fire disasters is to
intensify enlightenment campaign using the younger generation right from
schools to ensure they imbibe fire awareness. We should teach them how to
identify and prevent fire outbreaks from a tender age. Parents should also ensure
they educate their children at home.
Above
all, all stakeholders must come together to continuously engage one another on
the issue of fire disasters and also support institutions such as the Federal
and State Fire Services to be able to rise to the issue of fire disasters and
how to bring it to the barest minimum.
Similarly,
I want to make a special appeal to the Controller General and indeed to my
friend and brother the Hon. Minister of Interior His Excellency Rauf
Aregbesola, to consider Plateau State in the distribution of Rapid Response
Vehicles which we understand will soon arrive. In the same vein, we appeal that
Plateau State gets its own share of the ambulances which have been distributed
to other States.
Please be
assured that our Government shall continue to collaborate with you in fighting
fire, by building the capacity of the State Fire Service to respond to the
cases of fire disasters and providing safety for the lives and properties of
our people.
God bless
Plateau State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Executive Governor, Plateau State.
16th June 2021.
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