From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Government has launched a project for the distribution of fire extinguishers and enforcement of its use in homes and public places across the state.
Speaking at the launch of “The Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Sticker, (NFES)”, a project meant to control fire and ensure prompt response to any fire incident in the state, in Makurdi, State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, said the project includes servicing of fire extinguishers to ensure safety and generating employment for the teeming youths.
Alia who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Joseph Alakali, said the launch was in fulfilment of his promise to harness the enormous potential in the youth to position the state as an investment destination.
According to him, over 10,000 sustainable employment would be provided under the project.
“It will control situation in which fire extinguisher fail at point of usage, enable arrest and prosecution of fake and wicked servicing vendors who fill fire extinguisher cylinder with casava flour which increases fire instead of quenching it at most critical point of usage.
“It will prevent the use of fire extinguisher cylinder for drug trafficking, terrorism and other crime.
“The process of distribution, servicing and enforcement will provide over 10,000 sustainable employment opportunities and boost the state Internal Generated Revenue and block economic loophole.”
The Governor described the project as a rebirth and retooling of the state fire service to effectively deliver its mandate of fire prevention, response and investigation.
“Fire vulnerability of any society grows directly propositional to its development. As your income increase, so your choice of furniture and electronics increases.
“Similarly, our society has a lot of fake electronic, electrical cables, low quality cooking gas cylinders and a lot of other fake products including fire extinguishers.
“As a fulfilment of my promise during election and delivery of practical solutions towards the safety of our people, Benue State is breaking another record of being the first state in Nigeria to flag-off Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Sticker (NFES) project.”
He appreciated the Federal Executive Council for approving the project, and called on the Nigeria Police Force, NDLEA, Federal Road Safety Corps, VIO, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, DSS, the Military, NGOs and all stakeholders to collaborate with the state fire service in ensuring the achievement of the project’s objectives.
Earlier, the National Coordinator
Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Sticker (NFES) concessionaire and N- Alert Technical partner. Ministry of Interior, Abuja, Mr Benson Olatunji, explained that the project would be launched in all states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
He said Benue state was chosen to pioneer the project in collaboration with state Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, the Bureau of Internal Affairs (Fire Department Unit), and Office of the Special Adviser on Security with an objective to sensitize the public on the importance of the multiple uses of fire extinguishers, create jobs and to boost the IGR of the state.
He commended Governor Alia for his support of the project, Olatunji said the programme would boost inter and intra governmental collaboration between Federal Government and State Government.