In its efforts to combat fire outbreaks in Oyo State, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in the state, Mr Michael Adaralewa, has called on all Divisional Officers and Disaster Management Desk Officers across the 33 Local Government Areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas, LCDA to continue their sensitization awareness on the danger of bush burning and hoarding of fuel at home during this period of scarcity.
Adaralewa who spoke during a forum with all Disaster Managers across the State held at the Command’s headquarters, Agodi, Ibadan explained that there was a need for fire prevention, mitigation and preparedness in order to avert dangers resulting from indiscriminate bush burning and hoarding of fuel due to scarcity of the commodity.
In a statement released by the Command Public Relations Officer, DSC Oyindamola Okuneye, the Commandant stated that bush burning destroys the ecosystem and increases the effects of climate change.
“Indiscriminate bush burning at this period of dry season should be avoided as this could extend to neighbouring farmlands and houses and if such houses hoards fuel, it may cause serious damages to lives and properties of the citizens”, the statement reads in part.
He, however, enjoined citizens of the state to properly dispose dried leaves and papers, while electrical appliances should also be switched off and unplugged when not in use.
According to him, “All these preventive measures will go a long way to mitigate its impacts.”
The NSCDC boss, while urging the good people of the state to be careful in dealing with fire during this period, stressed the need for all to have extinguishers in their houses, offices and markets.
He further assured the residents of the State that his men would be on alert to respond to any case of fire outbreak in synergy with all stakeholders in disaster management in the State.
Packaged by Miracle Ogunde
