In a significant move to enhance fire safety across the nation, the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Olumode Adeyemi Samuel, today inaugurated a Special Task Force on Public and Private Building Audit at the FFS Headquarters in Abuja.
The event highlighted the growing urgency to address fire risks following a series of devastating incidents, including the recent fires at the Afritower in Lagos and commercial plazas in Abuja.
The initiative, themed “Strengthening Fire Safety Compliance in Public Buildings: A Call to Action for National Resilience,” aimed to reinforce fire safety compliance in public and private buildings across Nigeria.
During his speech, the Controller General emphasized the critical importance of fire safety in safeguarding lives and properties, stressing that fire safety is a collective responsibility rather than an optional practice. “The rising number of fire disasters calls for urgent action to ensure public and private buildings adhere strictly to safety standards,” Adeyemi Samuel said.
The newly inaugurated Task Force will focus on three primary objectives: mapping public buildings across the country and assessing their fire risk levels, conducting inspections to evaluate compliance with fire safety regulations, and providing detailed recommendations to shape future enforcement efforts and policy decisions.
Assistant Controller General Bolarinde Tajudeen Muhammed, Head of the Inspection, Investigation, and Enforcement (I.I.E.) Department, has been appointed to lead the Task Force, which will also include senior officials from the Federal Fire Service, including the Deputy Controller of Operations (FCT Command) and the National Public Relations Officer.
Controller General Adeyemi further appealed to owners and managers of public and private buildings to cooperate fully with the Task Force as they carry out their audit duties. He underscored the importance of collaboration to ensure the safety of all Nigerians, called on building stakeholders to take the necessary steps to meet fire safety requirements.
The creation of the Special Task Force is a critical step towards ensuring that Nigeria’s public and private buildings meet the highest safety standards, preventing avoidable tragedies, and enhancing national resilience against fire-related disasters.
