News Commentary: Curbing Incidents of Fire Disasters in Plateau State

It is written by Keshia Jang of our News and Current Affairs Department

Oftentimes, people wake up to disheartening stories of the havoc caused by fire incidents. Usually, the fire outbreaks do not spare residences, business complexes, worship centers, and markets, among others, with humongous resources in ruins and precious lives lost.

A case in hand is the recent razing of a section of a motor park in Jos popularly known as NTA Park

According to media reports, the fire was said to have been ignited as a result of a power upsurge from the electricity that destroyed some shops and other properties before it was put out. Thankfully, no life was lost during the incident which caused panic and anxiety in the area

Apart from the incident at the NTA Park, there had also been reported cases of fire outbreaks elsewhere in Plateau state including the Jos branch of the CBN with valuables worth millions of naira destroyed.

The pathetic recurrent fire outbreaks have become unacceptable.

Most often, government at all tiers is apportioned blame, mostly for what it is clearly noted not to have done,

This is particularly so especially as virtually every state of the federation has received firefighting equipment, while fire stations have multiplied.

But how these fire stations have been effectively deployed to serve the need of the people and achieve the purpose for which they were established has remained a subject of controversy over the years

Be that as it may, pundits have pondered over possible root causes of these disasters, with a bid to nip them in the bud.

They pointed out that sealing the deal to rid our communities of fire disasters completely will involve collective responsibility.

Therefore, Smokers and users of fire-lighting items for domestic/industrial ends are cautioned to always ensure stubs and fireworks are totally quenched.

Not only that, Fireworks should be abhorred, especially during the fast-approaching Yuletide.

There is also the need to learn the safety precaution and expediency of switching off lights and sockets in our residences and other places of interest, especially, while we will not be around.

Law enforcement agencies and firefighters should be fortified with voluntary timely tip-offs to enable them to respond quickly to fire emergencies

Mitigating fire incidences is a task that must be vigilantly pursued to succeed in Plateau state and Nigeria at large