Nigeria Loses Property Worth N50 Billion To Fire Annually – Agency

The Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olusegun Okebiorun, has revealed that Nigeria loses about N50 billion worth of properties to fire outbreaks.

He made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s Question Time, while speaking about the activities and challenges of the agency.

Mr Okebiorun who said the management of fire emergencies is capital intensive complained of the agency’s dwindling resources.

“We have not done too badly,” he said adding that “we have pursued that responsibility vigorously within the limit of our resources.”

He also disclosed that there is a dearth in infrastructure available to the agency as “without the infrastructure you cannot be the best in terms of emergency management” which is about preventing emergencies from occurring.

The manpower that the service has is not enough to prevent incidences.

He highlighted that the service is expected to visit offices and homes at least once in a year, however, the number of agents is ‘grossly inadequate’.

Speaking about the National Search and Rescue and Epidemic Evaluation Plan, which is collaboration between the agency and other responders, such as NEMA, Mr Okebiorun said the plan is to give a guideline as to the responsibilities of all stakeholders in the event of an emergency which they all respond to.

The plan also stipulates the function of the fire service in different scenarios such as flood, fire outbreak, collapsed building or road accident.