FCT to seal off ALL houses, shops without fire alert system

The federal capital territory (FCT) fire service says all public and private structures without fire alert systems linked to its emergency monitoring centre will be sealed off.

In a notice obtained by TheCable, the agency said the move follows a recent resolution passed by the national assembly.

In March, the house of representatives, following a motion moved by Henry Nwawuba, lawmaker from Imo, had asked the FCT minister and fire service to ensure that all public buildings and markets within the territory possess functional fire alerting systems.

The FCT fire service is, however, also enforcing the provisions of section 24 of the Fire Service Act of 1963, which allows it to charge owners of public and private for installation of the alert systems.

In the notice dated April 19, 2021, and signed by Sani Saidu, the fire service director, the agency said upon inspection, any structure found not to have the fire alert system or without evidence that the device is being sourced, will be sealed off.

It added that the measure is to ensure a reduction in response time for emergencies.

When contacted via phone call, an official of agency who refused to give his name, confirmed the development.

“It’s a fire alerting system that should be installed at your premises. It has a transmitter down to our office here in case of an emergency. Every home and shop in Abuja will be inspected and they are on it already,” the official said.

-The Cable