The Secretary to the Abia State Government (SSG), Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, has commended the fire safety awareness programme organised for staff of his office, describing it as a timely initiative to protect lives and property.
Dr. Meribole gave the commendation while declaring open the training organised by officials of the Abia State Fire Service at the conference room of the Office of the SSG.
He said fire safety should be taken seriously in both public and private workplaces, as well as in homes. He urged the staff to pay attention to the training and apply the knowledge gained in their daily activities.
The SSG explained that the programme was designed to equip staff with the basic knowledge and practical skills needed to identify possible fire hazards, prevent fire outbreaks and respond properly when emergencies occur.
He noted that fire incidents could cause serious damage to lives, buildings, office equipment and important documents. He therefore stressed the need for workers to remain alert and take simple safety measures to avoid preventable accidents.
Dr. Meribole also encouraged staff to avoid careless handling of electrical appliances, ensure that electrical equipment is properly switched off when not in use and keep their working environment free from anything that could easily cause a fire.
Speaking during the training, the Chief Fire Officer and resource person, Mr. Arua Nnanna, said fire prevention remained the best way to ensure safety.
He explained that the training was aimed at educating participants on how to recognise fire risks, use basic fire safety equipment and take appropriate action during emergencies.
Mr. Nnanna stressed that people should not wait until a fire outbreak occurs before learning how to respond. According to him, early action, proper awareness and preparedness can help reduce the damage caused by fire incidents and save lives.
He also highlighted the importance of knowing emergency procedures and understanding when to seek the assistance of fire service personnel. He encouraged participants to take fire warnings seriously and avoid actions that could put themselves and others at risk.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Staff Welfare Committee in the Office of the SSG, Mr. Onyekachi Wachuku, thanked Dr. Meribole for approving the training programme.
He also appreciated the officials of the Abia State Fire Service for accepting the invitation and sharing their professional knowledge and experience with the staff.
Wachuku noted that the training would help improve staff awareness and prepare them to respond better to fire emergencies within the office and beyond.
The Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SSG, Mrs. Uwaoma Ajike, was also present at the event.
