By Bilqis Mohammed
The Kogi State Fire Service and Rescue Agency, has been charged to make maximum use of the media to create sensitization and awareness on fire safety tips across the state.
The charge was given by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of The Graphic Newspaper, Mr. Y. J. Itopa, during the sensitization visit of the agency to The Graphic in Lokoja.
Mr. Itopa noted that the media remains a powerful tool to reach the people, and advised the agency to take full advantage of it to enlighten the public and equip them with the right information on fire safety tips needed to avoid fire outbreaks in their homes and offices.
He urged the agency to expand the scope of the training for it to be more effective, expressing hope that at the end of the exercise, the attention of government and individuals would be drawn to some of the safety tips needed in offices and homes across the state.
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The MD also urged the organisers to expand the programme to other stations and communities, so that more people can benefit from it.
According to him, limiting the training to one location would not achieve the desired result, as many people in other areas are still in need of such enlightenment.
The Executive Editor of The Graphic Newspaper, Mr. James Oyewole, expressed worry over the rate at which filling stations are being approved and built within school and residential areas, which according to him, poses serious danger to people around the areas.
Mr. Oyewole urged the fire agency to collaborate with the Bureau of Lands to enable it to succeed in its mandate on fire safety.
The Editor used the medium to advise people to always ensure that all appliances are switched off when going out of the house and at the close of office hours.
The leader of the team from the Kogi State Fire Service and Rescue Agency, Mr. Daniel Jegede, said they were at The Graphic to train staff on necessary tips on fire prevention, especially during the harmattan season.
Mr. Jegede, who stated that people live and make use of fire every day, called on every office and household to have fire-fighting equipment for self-help in case of an outbreak.
Reacting to the Editor’s concern over the building of filling stations within schools and residential areas, Mr. Jegede disclosed that the State Fire Service, already has an existing law that takes care of such situations, adding that they are working towards collaboration with the State House of Assembly to implement the law in the state.
He advised everyone to always carry out a cylinder test to check for leakage by mixing liquid soap in a bowl of water, scrubbing it on the cylinder with a brush, and watching out for foaming. Anywhere it foams indicates a leakage
He commended the participants for their commitment and participation after the sensitization and demonstration exercise on how to use a fire extinguisher, urging them to put the knowledge gained into practice for the benefit of society.
