The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service has announced that all public and private structures without fire alert systems linked to its emergency monitoring centre will be sealed off.
This was contained in a notice released by the Fire Service. According to the agency, the move follows a recent resolution passed by the national assembly.
Recall that the House of Representatives in March following a motion moved by Henry Nwawuba, lawmaker from Imo, had asked the FCT minister and fire service to ensure that all public buildings and markets within the territory possess functional fire alerting systems.
The FCT Fire Service is, however, also enforcing the provisions of section 24 of the Fire Service Act of 1963, which allows it to charge owners of public and private for installation of the alert systems.
Section 24 Sub-section 2 of the act states: “Charges may be made for services, other than extinguishing fires, rendered by the Fire Service at rates to be prescribed.”
In the notice, dated April 19, 2021, and signed by the Fire Service Director, Sani Sa’idu, the agency said upon inspection, any structure found not to have the fire alert system or without evidence that the device is being sourced, will be sealed off.
It added that the measure is to ensure a reduction in response time for emergencies.
When contacted via phone call, an official of the agency who refused to give his name, confirmed the development.
