The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, AbdulGaniyu Jaji, has said the lack of enforcement powers is hindering his personnel’s ability to effectively carry out their constitutional duties.
Jaji explained that when potential fire hazards or actions that disrupt firefighting efforts are ignored after being pointed out, the fire service is powerless.
He added that with enforcement powers, the service would be able to prevent fire outbreaks while effectively exercising its authority.
The CG spoke during the inauguration of the committee on research and development of the fire service training curriculum in Abuja on Monday.
He said, “We need to strengthen our IIE, that is, Inspectorate, Investigation and Enforcement. Now, we need to have an enforcement that can bite.
“If you go to a particular place and say, look, this place is not good, you seal it. By the time you are able to seal it, even if they go to court, you have the law that backs you up that this thing is supposed not to be like this. But if you don’t have that law, it will cause a problem.”
Jaji also lamented the practice of building shops in areas designated for fire hydrants in markets.
He added that this makes it difficult to combat fires during outbreaks.
Jaji said, “If you look at Karu market, you realize that the shanties or the buildings that are there are the cause of the fire. We are the market people.
“We allocate a place that is purposely for fire hydrants and they will build shops on it. Even if the firefighters or the fire plants get to that place, there will be no access for you to fight the fire. And again, people are not even conscious.”
The CG also called for the review of the Fire Service Act of 1963, adding that its provisions were outdated.
He said, “The only way by which that can be met properly is for us to be able to review our acts. Because the act is obsolete. The act that was established in 1963, you realize that the modern act is 2024, and you begin to use an act of 1963. ”
The Chief Executive Officer of Veil Consultants, Machie Olisehemeka, stated that the review of its training curriculum was necessary to help personnel’s efficiency
He said, “Whatever you do in life, there has to be training, training, and retraining.
“If you are not trained to meet the emerging trends, everyday things are changing. Everything, firefighting, fire prevention, everything about the world is changing. So we have to train to meet with the emerging changes that are being let loose on us.”