Reps Summon Fire Service Chief Over Fatal Accident

The House of Representatives has summoned the Controller-General,CG, of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, to explain a fatal accident involving a fire truck that killed three siblings and injured others in Abuja.

The Minority Whip of the house, Mr Ali Isah, gave the CG 24 hours to appear in person before them after he failed to honour an earlier invitation.

The incident in which three siblings lost their lives happened late Friday evening at the ECOWAS junction in Wuse 2, Abuja, during a firefighting operation at Avenue Plaza, Banex.

Isah said that the house had seen on social media, videos emerging from the scene of the accident but had not seen any public statement from the service.

The lawmaker directed that the service should immediately visit the family, commiserate with them, take over the medical bills of those in the hospital and make arrangements for adequate compensations.

Isah said that the service should put measures in place to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

“The non appearance of the CG without any cogent reason is not appropriate. I do not think at this point there is any more serious engagement that is more than the invitation from the National Assembly at a time we are all mourning the loss of lives of Nigerians.

“I believe I also support my colleagues that we have to request the DG to appear with all his team, either within 24 hours or a maximum of 48 hours.”

“But before then, the organisation has to engage the family where necessary, even if it means compensation to the family”.

“The government has to do that, the patient in the hospital, the organisation, your agency, have to take full responsibility of the bills and the treatment of the patients,” he said.

Earlier, the Deputy Controller-General Administration and Supplies, Mr Samuel Olumode said that the service was very remorseful over the incident.

He explained that the CG was not around in person as he had to attend to other state matters but delegated him and other officers to represent him.

Olumode said that no one would love to lose any life, especially because no one can create life or replace any, once it is lost, blaming the incident on the urgency of the operation.

He explained that the fire truck driver involved in the accident did not stop for fear of mob action which he said was common against fighters.

The deputy controller-general, however, said that the driver reported to the nearest police station and had been in detention since then.

Olumode explained that the service, led by the CG himself, had taken several actions including visiting the family of the deceased and those in the hospital.

He said that a delegation of fire officers also attended the funeral service at the National Mosque and subsequently burial.

The officer said that it was a difficult time for the family of the victims saying that another condolence visit was paid to the mother of the boys.

He said that the service had also issued a public apology, which had been aired and published by major media organisations in the country.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji