–Urges collaboration between Federal and FCT Fire Service
Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa has called for prompt and improved response to emergency situations in the FCT by the Federal and FCT Fire Services, to ensure that lives and properties are saved during emergencies.
The Chief Press Secretary to FCTA, Mr Anthony Ogunleye in a press release on Tuesday said Ohaa who made this call in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Federal and FCT Fire Services, led by the Comptroller General, Federal Fire Service, Dr Liman Ibrahim Alhaji said Abuja as an emerging top city in the world, requires the best services in terms of protecting lives and properties during emergency situations.
The Permanent Secretary, while noting that emergencies were inevitably a part of life, said firemen should not restrict their services to firefighting alone but also be available during flooding and other such incidents.
He called for collaboration and partnership between the Federal and FCT Fire Services, saying that synergy between both organisations will enhance the tackling of emergencies in the FCT.
Ohaa while describing Alhaji as an Ambassador of the FCT, considering the fact that the Controller began his career as an FCT Fire Service Officer, said his elevation to the post of Comptroller General is a testament to the quality of the FCT Fire Service.
Speaking on the need to pay a lot of attention to the FCT in terms of managing emergencies, the Permanent Secretary said, “Abuja is an emerging city and we need to make sure that we give the best to the city in terms of protecting lives and properties.
“As we grow with the construction of skyscrapers, you have to know the new technology in fire-fighting and emergency management beyond fire because even when there is flooding, we need your services.”
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that plans were underway to procure modern equipment for the FCT Fire Service with the recent approval received from the Federal Executive Council in this regard.
Earlier in his remark, the Comptroller General, Federal Fire Service, Ibrahim Alhaji, who traced his roots to the FCT Fire Service, appreciated FCTA for the enormous support and contributions to both the FCT and the Federal Fire Services.
He noted that the FCT Fire Service has been able to advance its operations from what it used to be in 2002 when it had just nine second hand vehicles which were restricted to just the Area Councils, to its present status which includes 14 fire stations in various parts of the FCT as well as enhanced personnel.
