Dr Ibrahim Liman, Controller General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service, said on Wednesday that the review of Nigeria’s fire policy would enable the state and federal government know their roles in fire safety enforcement.
Liman said this in Minna, Niger State, during the opening ceremony of a three-day summit on the review of “National Fire and Rescue Safety Code, National Fire Rescue Policy, Standard Operating Procedure and Federal Fire Service Rules and Regulations.”
He said the Service had not reviewed the fire policy fo a long time, which was unprofessional, hence the need for the exercise.
“In the absence of a fire policy review the federal government, state and everyone could be seen as just doing what they feel like doing without knowing if we are being professional or not.
“States must know their role and this policy review will enable us to be guided during enforcement,” he said.
He said the conference was also aimed at reviewing the nation’s fire safety code, standard operating procedure, rules and regulations on disciplinary act.
He further said at the end of the conference, a final draft copy of the reviewed documents would be screened by a five-man committee in Abuja before final submission to the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The CG explained that some sections of the documents guiding the service were obsolete, hence the need for immediate amendment.
He said some of the adjustments would affect how officers who committed offences would be punished.
“Before a property is being sealed there will be need for the management of the building to be warned at least three times and before sealing, the CG ought to be informed.
“Our approaches also matter, so there is need to sit and communicate with the persons involved with care.
“Officers are also expected to advise their subordinates on appropriate communication in the field of operation,” he said.
Liman appreciated the presence of retired Deputy Controller Generals of the service who were part of the review committee.
“You are knowledgeable, so it is of importance to put your experience to use in achieving our goal,” he said.
He charged the committee members to take the review task ahead of them with utmost importance as the future of the nation’s fire service was in their hands. (NAN)
