The Controller General of Federal Fire Service (FFS), Jaji O Abdulganiyu, has faulted traders in Borno State for not making efforts to invest in fire preventive measures to secure their huge investments in the markets.
The CG, who was on an assessment and sympathy visit over the recent infernos that consumed the two largest markets in Maiduguri, on Tuesday, advised the traders to form a volunteer firefighters group to curb the menace.
He also attributed the massive loss of property to a lack of access roads that would allow the emergency workers into the market to quench the fire.
Abdulganiyu said if the volunteers are effectively trained and provided with fire extinguishing equipment, they would curtail the excesses of the fire menace even before the arrival of the firefighters.
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“The only way to prevent fire is to make sure that the simplest gadgets are provided. Fire extinguishers in each of these shops can work tremendously to reduce the incidents of fire.
“Little training on how to use the equipment is always important because the fire usually starts small, not big, and if you don’t know what to do, it escalates,” he said
He assured that his men would soon embark on the training of volunteer traders on how to use fire blankets and fire extinguishers.
