The Special Adviser to Ekiti state Governor on infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof Mobolaji Aluko has called for greater synergy between the state and Federal Fire Services to promptly respond to fire outbreaks and other emergencies in the State.
The Special Adviser gave the charge during a meeting with the Directors of both fire services in Ado-Ekiti and urged the two government agencies to make greater collaboration and effective service delivery their topmost priorities as part of ultimate efforts to reduce cases of casualties and fatalities as well as damages caused by fire out breaks in the state.
He said that with greater collaboration the two agencies can effectively perform their regulatory functions and respond to cases of fire outbreak and emergencies in any part of the State.
Aluko also stressed that the state Government would take urgent steps towards the repair of all faulty fire engines and equipment that were out of service for the organisation to effectively respond to and carry out its statutory duties of saving lives and properties whenever it receives emergency calls.
He pledged the state’s support for the Federal Fire Service’s needs for the organisation to run effectively in the state.
Aluko noted that Fire services should go beyond responding to fire incidents , and that the two fire services should also effectively perform their other statutory roles of fire prevention and issuance of fire safety certificates to business premises for insurance purposes and as well as issuing certificates of incident report to fire victims.
He sought for collaboration of both parties in signing a memoradum of understanding on the modality for the issuance of fire safety certificate and certificate of fire incidents report.
Earlier in his remarks the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr Olumide Ajayi, described the newly amended and passed State Fire Law 2023 as timely, urging the heads of fire departments in the state to take notes of the amended parts for effective delivery.
The General Manager of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Olajide Borode, urged the Fire Services in the State to always issue certificates report of incident to fire victims in a timely manner, especially if on request by the victims as an evidence of claiming any relief materials that may likely be provided by SEMA office, noting that the report will serve as an evidence that they are victims of fire outbreak.
The Controller, Federal Fire Services,Oloniyo Babatope, requested for an office accommodation for his organisation which is a pre-requsite condition for him to make requisition for more equipment and personnel from Abuja.
He revealed that the Ado-Ekiti office is now the zonal headquarters for Ekiti and Ondo States, and as such is due for more appliances and personnel if conducive accomodation is provided by the state government.
He commended the State government for its readiness to provide a suitable accommodation and other logistics support for the federal agency in the state.
The Director Fire Services of Ekiti State, Mr Olusola Famosaya commended the Ministry for bringing the two agencies together as one entity in order to work as a team towards achieving the same goals, pledging a renewed cooperation with the Federal Fire
Service for effective and efficient service delivery.