By Kelechi Ogunleye
Abuja – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service on Wednesday commenced a dry season campaign on indiscriminate bush burning in the city.
Opetunsin Julius, Assistant Controller General (ACG), FCT Fire Service, said this at the beginning of the campaign which took place at the Etsu Garki Palace in Abuja.
Julius said that the season was a period when farming activities were of essence to those in the agricultural sector.
“Fire outbreaks are still one of the leading disaster Nigerians face and the fire service cannot stop creating awareness on the dangers associated with fire.
“Destruction from fire outbreaks on farms and other properties are always colossal, therefore all hands must be on deck to curtail its occurrences.’’
He called on all farming communities, traditional rulers and their subjects to apply control measures, if bush burning must be adopted.
“Controlled bush burning will help protect your property and that of your neighbours,’’ the fire service chief said.
He advised that if bush burning must be adopted, the surrounding environment must be cleared to avoid spread of fire.
Julius added that officers of the service were yet to embark on area council visits to relay the fire safety campaign to the grassroot.
In his remarks, Mr Umar Shuaibu, Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), said that the council was dedicated to ensuring the safety of lives and properties in the FCT.
Shuaibu reiterated Mohammed Bello, the FCT Minister’s directives that some areas in the territory were banned from farming activities.
“The essence of that directive is not to deny residents of their rightful means of livelihood but to pursue the master plan of making Abuja a dream city.
“We should be mindful of those restricted areas where farming activities are banned.
“FCT residents are reminded not to burn bush for the benefit of games or clearing activities.
“Bush burning does not only have an effect on our property but also on the eco-system as it gradually builds into the atmosphere leading to climate change,” he said.
Responding, Mr Usman Ngakupyi, Sakpyi Garki, said that the fire sensitisation had impacted knowledge on how to better prevent and control fire outbreaks within and around their community.
Represented by Jacob Garki, Ngakupyi said, “some of my people don’t know how to prevent or control fire but today we have been adequately sensitised.’’