Gusau (Zamfara) – The Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has embarked on a state-wide campaign on proper use of fire to avoid fire disaster as the harmattan intensifies.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Sunusi Kwatarkwashi, announced this on Tuesday shortly before distributing relief materials to flood victims in Gusau Local Government Area of the state.
Kwatarkwash, who said that fire outbreak normally occur during this period, especially in the rural communities, advised the public to be careful with the use of fire.
“As we use fire in our houses, bush burning and other activities and it is very dangerous to mishandle it, especially during this period; we need to be careful.
“It is part of our responsibilities as disaster managers to ensure effective awareness among the general public in this regard as proactive measure to reduce fire disasters,’’ he said.
He said that the relief materials that were distributed to the victims include assorted grains, building and bedding materials, clothes and cosmetics.
They were donated by the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
In a remark, the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello commended the government for the assistance and urged well-to-do individuals in the state to assist in disaster management and control.
Represented by a title holder in the emirate, Alhaji Mainasara Bello, the emir also called on people to always comply with town planning rules and regulations.
He said that this was necessary to avoid building on waterways, as well as to reduce the incident of flooding.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government in November donated 12 trucks of relief materials to flood victims in the state. (NAN)