By Saheed Ibrahim

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the Controller General of Federal Fire Service, Dr Liman Ibrahim have assured residents of Ondo state of their safety against fire emergencies during harmattan season.
They gave the assurances as the Federal Fire Service Safety Week celebration was brought to a close last Friday with endurance and sensitisation walk across Akure.
They however appealed to the residents to desist from being careless with anything that could lead to fire emergency.

Governor Akeredolu, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Lands and Infrastructure, Raimi Olayiwola Aminu, the representative of the FFS CG and Zonal Controller, Zone F, ACG Daramola Taiwo, officers of the FFS Ondo State Command, state fire service in company of some officers from the Nigerian Immigration, Nigerian Police, Civil Defence and Road Safety walked around the streets of Akure to sensitise the people on fire safety.
The campaign team took off from Adegbemile Cultural Centre and visited Oja Oba, Old Garage, Deji of Akure Palace, Arakale, NEPA Market, Akure Shopping Mall and other places.
Flyers containing fire safety precautions and FFS emergency numbers were shared to residents of the state should any fire outbreak occurs.
Speaking with The Hope after the exercise, the Commissioner noted that the sensitisation exercise was of utmost importance as dry season approached.
While saying most fire emergencies were caused by human negligence, he said “We need to let out people know and tell them to take proper precaution, so that we can reduce incessant fire outbreak in the state”.
He appealed to residents of the state to be careful while handling fire during the dry spell.
Aminu stressed that the Akeredolu-led administration was committed to ensure safety of property of the residents of the state.

He appreciated the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and officers of the fire services for their collaboration with the state government and timely intervention when contacted during fire emergencies.
In his message to Ondo residents, ACG Daramola Taiwo noted that the sensitisation was necessary and that was why the Federal Fire Service launched operation EMOC
“EMOC means Ember Months Operation Cheetah. Everybody knows the animal called Cheetah. It is ready to work anytime and this show our readiness to combat fire outbreak at any point on time.”