By Victoria Onehi
The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service Engr. Jaji O Abdulganiyu, has again restated the need for the general public to take fire safety as their responsibility.
Abdulganiyu restated this while speaking to journalists at the end of the Ministerial Performance Quarterly Review Meeting hosted by the Fire Service at the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja on Friday.
” Combatting fire activities does not reside solely with the Fire Service. It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure we know what to do in order to reduce the incident of fire outbreaks around us. By doing that,it will reduce the pressure on the Fire Service. So,alot of us have to do what we need to do in our houses,offices in order to have reduced fire Incidents.”  Abdulganiyu said.
In his speech at the Review Performance Meeting, the Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said the quarterly meeting was instituted to set agenda for performance and to evaluate activities In the Ministry and Services.
” I have no doubt that we have made giant strides in all aspects of the Ministry and the Services. These cover reforms in passport administration and border management, expanding the scope of fire and disaster management across the country, expanding the scope and capability in combating crimes and providing security and revolutionising correctional services.
“However, there are still large grounds to be covered. Insecurity is still a challenge in many parts of the country, indeed, virtually in every part. I still personally get complaints from those who have been short-served on passport application. Same way I get inundated with calls and complaints when there is a fire incident or natural disaster in which we couldn’t be of much or any assistance. Issues relating to untoward activities in our custodial centres suggesting collusion between officials and inmates pop up now and then in the news.” the Minister said.
The Permanent Secretary ,Dr Shuaib Belgore in his address said it is worthy to acknowledge that the Quarterly Performance Review Meeting has become a Peer Review Mechanism which provides opportunities to share ideas, experiences, accomplishments and methods between and among the agencies/services and the Board.
” We share common vision, and this regular engagement is bringing us closer together to achieve more collectively.” Belgore said.
He therefore commended the various innovations being implemented by Services and the Board in the last couple of years which have changed modus operandi of services rendered.
“Innovations, driven by the ICT introduced by our agencies/Board, are indications that we are poised to serve the public in a manner that is efficient and effective.” he noted.
