This was made known on Wednesday by the Controller General of the Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, while speaking during a brainstorming session with management staff on the coming elections.
Nigeria’s Federal Fire Service has announced the readiness of its personnel to respond to any form of fire outbreaks across the country during and after the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
This was made known on Wednesday by the Controller General of the Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, while speaking during a brainstorming session with management staff on the coming elections.
The Controller General noted that it is necessary to ensure the safety of the officials and facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with the integrity of the electoral process in the country.
TheCable quoted Abdulganiyu as saying, “We must ensure that our resources are properly allocated and be prepared to respond to any potential fire-related issues that may arise.
“I am confident that with the hard work and dedication of my officers and men of the federal fire service, we will be able to ensure the safety of polling units, wards, local governments, and state collation centres, as well as providing a secure environment for citizens to cast their votes.
“As relevant stakeholders in the inter-agency consultative committee on election security (ICCES), ahead of the 2023 general election, the recent attacks on INEC Offices across the country places a burden on our shoulders as fire officers to ensure that this ugly situation is nipped in the bud.”
Abdulganiyu added that the service has put a comprehensive fire safety plan in place, explaining that the plan includes increased fire safety inspection, fire prevention, and protection measures, and increased presence of fire personnel in areas prone to fire outbreaks.
According to him, “Fire personnel will be on standby to respond to any fire incidents that may occur during and after the election”.
“Fire safety education and awareness campaigns will also be conducted to ensure that citizens are well informed on fire safety measures and protocols, the federal fire service will work closely with local fire departments and other emergency services to ensure that all fire incidents are dealt with swiftly and effectively,” he added.