The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has embarked on a campaign to enlighten the public on how to prevent fire outbreak at markets and other public places during the harmattan season.
The North-west Zone of NEMA in collaboration with Kaduna State Fire Service kicked off the campaign in Kaduna metropolis, at the popular Kasuwa-Bachi market where traders were sensitised on how to avert fire outbreak.
The North-west Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Musa Ilalah, who led the exercise, said the sensitisation was aimed at strengthening preparedness, prevention and timely response in addressing fire outbreaks in markets and other public places in the state.
He said there was need to educate the public on how best to curtail market fire and re-define the roles of emergency response agencies during fire emergencies.
The NEMA official advised the traders to always put out their electrical appliances before they close their shops and to also procure fire extinguishers in case of any emergency situation.
He also urged the public to call the agencies’ emergency phone numbers in case of any fire outbreak or any other emergency situation to reduce casualties.
Mr Ilalah also advised the traders to ensure that their goods were insured, as the government might not have the financial strength to take care of all disaster victims in Nigeria.
Some of the traders commended NEMA for the sensitisation campaign, promising to put what they have learnt into proper use.
Multiple fire incidents had earlier engulfed two markets in Lagos State and another one at Sabon-Gari in Kano State.
Apart from occasional loss of lives, property worth billions of Naira were also destroyed in the process.
