The Controller General, CG, Federal Fire Service, FFS, Dr Liman Ibrahim has called for the redesign of major markets in the Country for easy accessibility during emergencies.
Dr Ibrahim who was at the Agodi Gate auto spare parts market in Ibadan gutted by fire earlier this month, said investigation to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the fire will soon be concluded.
“Am in Ibadan courtesy of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola. And first, let me commiserate with the traders in this Agodi gate spare parts market, I have gone around the market, I saw what happened, the only way forward is to engage both the state government, the traders association and the market management. Am sure there is a master plan for this market and if the master plan is abuse, the consequence is what we are experiencing now which is not proper.
“Of course we can not fold our hands and see our Brothers, Sisters and our Parents suffering this colossal loss, it is the responsibility of both the Federal Government and the State Governments to come to the aid of the Victims,” Dr Liman said.
The CG noted that the fire spread rapidly because of highly combustible goods in the market and difficulty getting into the market.
The Fire Boss said there was a need to revisit the master plan of the market to ensure proper housekeeping, internal road network and market segregation which was lacking and led to the unfortunate fire incident.
According to him, Markets should be segregated according to groups but this market was as good as not having one because if there is no sanity to it then the aim of segregation is defeated.
Dr Liman explained that a way forward was to engage the traders, market association, the state and federal fire service and the Oyo state government to ensure proper sensitization in markets within the state.
“ 99 per cent cause of the fire is as a result of human error if we put in more care I am sure we will be able to reduce the number of fire outbreaks,”
Ibrahim stated that the Federal Government had in March approved the acquisition of 96 modern firefighting trucks to help curtail the fire disaster across the Country.
Chairperson, Oyo State Market Association, Alhaja Abiola Ameringun appreciated the visit of the Fire Boss and pleaded with government to come to their aid by rebuilding the market and assist them to get back their economic activities.
Alhaja Abiola admitted that sensitization had been ongoing in the market on how to prevent and curb fire with several techniques including the use of fire extinguishers and Fire blankets.
She however pleaded with the State Government to provide extended space for construction because of the high population of traders currently occupying the market.
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji who commended the effort of the FFS, urge the people to always cooperate with fire Fighters in emergency situations.
FRCN
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