Controller-General, Federal Fire Service, Joseph Garba Anebi

 

Companies or Factories operating in Ogun State that fail to put in place adequate safety mechanisms to safeguard lives and property within their premises will be sanctioned by government.

The State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Olamilekan Adegbite, an architect who spoke at the opening of a training workshop on Fire Prevention, Disaster/Emergency Management and Control organised by the Department of Fire and Safety held in Abeokuta, said nine people lost their lives between last year December and March this year due to fire extinguisher explosions which was caused by the use of expired or Tokunbo extinguisher.

Adegbite according to a statement by the ministry’s image maker, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso warned that erring companies especially those with expired or Tokunbo fire extinguishers would be penalised, adding that arrangements have been concluded by the State Fire Service to start on the spot inspection of companies, factories and small scale businesses premises to ascertain their level of compliance, said that those without industrial fire alarm would also be sanctioned.

‘’We all know that fire, in spite of its usefulness is very dangerous, if not properly monitored and handled. Therefore it is very necessary to stem this trend by way of educating our people on fire management and its attendant danger, this is why government will not leave any stone unturned at ensuring that our people are safe at work places’’, Adegbite remarked.

The Commissioner disclosed that government was on the verge of employing additional 100 fire service men to further enhance the efficiency of the outfit in responding to emergency, especially fire outbreak in the State.

Earlier, the Director Fire and Safety Department, Fatai Adefala, an engineer, commended the State government for approving the employment of additional officers, affirming that the move was a right step in a right direction.

He advised management of companies, operator of small scale businesses and schools to always ensure that they have within the premises of their outfit fire extinguishers and always ensure that they replace these extinguishers when they have expired to guide against explosion.