Ministry, Fire Service to partner on public buildings protection

THE Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa has assured the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) Fire Service of the ministry's readiness to partner with the agency and protect public buildings in the nation's capital against fire outbreak.

Dangiwa, who gave this assurance when he received a delegation of the FCT Fire Service on a courtesy visit to the ministry in Abuja, called on the agency to carry out advocacy to ensure all buildings have fire- fighting equipment installed in them.

"As designed by architects, engineers and planners of buildings, there must be ample access to firefighting appliances that would make easy access to buildings from the inception of the design, “he stressed.

The minister, therefore, underscored the significance of having fire- fighting appliances such as fire extinguishers, sprinklers and smoke detectors available in public buildings in order to ensure safety of lives and properties.

Dangiwa commended the agency for their swift responses and dedication whenever their intention was needed to mitigate on fire outbreak incidences across the FCT.

Earlier, Acting Director of the FCT Fire Service, Adebayo

Zacchaeus, said they were in the ministry to consolidate on the existing working collaboration in the fight against fire outbreak. Adebayo explained that the FCT administration is advocating for all buildings to incorporate fire security facilities in their building plans right from the construction.

He also stated that they will seek further partnership on the compliance with the directives of the FCT management that all four- storey buildings and above must have firefighting equipment installed to ensure protection of lives and properties.