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By Tracy Moses
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), through its Maiduguri Operations Office, has flagged off a one-day public enlightenment campaign aimed at improving fire prevention and emergency response, particularly at the grassroots level.
The initiative which held on Friday at the NEMA Conference Hall, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, placed strong focus on curbing fire outbreaks linked to tanker explosions, a growing concern in Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State.
The event brought together key stakeholders across various sectors to strategize on how to tackle frequent fire incidents that continue to pose a threat to lives and property in the state.
In his opening remarks, the Head of Operations of the Maiduguri NEMA office, Mallam Garba Sirajo, thanked all participants for attending and reiterated the agency’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Borno State Government and other critical partners.
“Today’s campaign marks a renewed effort towards building safer and more resilient communities in Borno. NEMA, in collaboration with federal and state actors, is determined to prevent fire disasters through awareness, preparedness, and unified response,” Sirajo stated.
Among those in attendance were officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service, Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA), Borno State Transport Management Agency (BOTMA), and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), among others.
A key feature of the campaign was a series of educational lectures. Experts from the Federal Fire Service and other organizations shared vital information on fire prevention methods and how to act effectively during emergencies.
The session aimed to equip road transport workers and residents with the practical knowledge necessary to avoid fire incidents and ensure quick response during emergencies.
The campaign later moved to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) Depot in Maiduguri, where participants observed a live demonstration simulating an emergency response to a tanker explosion.