To prevent property damage and casualties, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a public warning against bush burning during the harmattan period.
Ojuedene Kenoma, head of operations for NEMA’s Edo office, reportedly issued the warning during a training session for volunteers and local government officials in Edo State on how to prevent, respond to, and control disasters.
According to Kenoma, the training’s primary objective was to improve community-level catastrophe readiness, response, and recovery. Tanker accidents, fires, and other calamities, in his opinion, do not wait for a good time to strike.
“We must cultivate a mindset of readiness, consciousness, and action throughout all segments of society, particularly among the most vulnerable populations. This workshop is an important first step in equipping our communities to deal with emergencies.”
“Our Director-General Zubaida Umar is constructing a network of emergency responders who can take rapid and effective action when crises emerge by training and mobilizing volunteers within these communities.”
Tanker accidents and fire outbreaks pose substantial concerns in Edo State, and the training is meant to raise public awareness about these hazards.
In addition, he elaborated on how NEMA is educating volunteers and local government officials to bring disaster management to the people.
He went on to say that the organization hopes the trainees will spread awareness of fire safety measures and how to respond to them among the general public.
Superintendent Asimu Sumaila, one of the resource persons, emphasized in his presentation that everyone is responsible for safety and that one’s understanding of fire determines one’s likelihood of surviving in the event of a fire. According to Sumaila, 80% of fires are caused by people being careless or negligent.
According to him, knowing the correct solution to employ is crucial in battling fire disasters, since the incorrect remedy might lead to further complications.
He clarified that PMS (petrol) fire extinguishers are distinct from those used for regular fires.
While burning trash, nobody will be around to prevent it from spreading because most individuals forget to unplug or switch off their appliances before leaving the house.
He warned that the blaze could spread in other directions and start new fires.
But he did warn that people should turn off appliances when they leave the house and that bush fires, particularly in residential areas, can cause damage to homes and even deaths.