A nationwide fire safety compliance audit has been announced by the Federal Fire Service in response to Tuesday’s fire at Lagos Island’s Afriland Tower.
Following the fire at the six-story business building, at least six more fatalities have been officially reported.
The victims worked for United Capital, a banking and investment services company that occupied the tower’s third and fourth floors.
Hours after the Federal Inland Revenue Service said that four of its employees also perished in the tragedy on Wednesday night, the confirmation was made.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the fire was said to have begun in the basement’s inverter room.
According to a statement released by the Service’s spokesperson, Paul Abraham, on Thursday, Controller General Samuel Olumode clarified that the audit will examine public and private buildings across the country, evaluating their readiness for fire disasters, enforcing safety regulations, and penalizing facilities that violate them.
The statement said, in part, “The Controller General, on behalf of the Service, expresses condolences to the families of all those who perished in this tragedy, praying for the resting place of the deceased and solace for their loved ones, as well as to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacc Adelabu Adedeji, the entire Management and Staff of FIRS, the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, Mr. Tony Elumelu, and the entire Management and Staff of UBA Group.
“The Controller General declared that the Service will establish a nationwide Task Force on Fire Safety Compliance in an effort to prevent a recurrence. This task force will audit public and private buildings, enforce safety standards, penalize non-compliance, train facility managers and staff, and improve cooperation with regulatory agencies.”
Abraham stated that investigators had been instructed by the CG to look into the September 16 fire.
The investigative team’s job is to look into the tower’s maintenance records, safety system performance, and general adherence to fire codes.
“The CGF has directed the immediate deployment of a Federal Fire Service investigation team to determine the direct and remote causes of the incident, including the state of safety systems, maintenance practices, and compliance with fire safety regulations,” he continued, “after preliminary reports indicated that the fire started from the building’s inverter room.
“The investigation’s conclusions will be released to the public, and all suggestions will be put into action right away.”
The service also asked governmental agencies, business entities, and facility owners to promptly assess their safety preparedness, secure power rooms, clear blockages in exits, and guarantee that personnel have received emergency response training.
According to the statement, “The Federal Fire Service urges all facility owners, managers, corporate bodies, banks, and public agencies to immediately review their fire safety readiness, ensure inverter and generator rooms are secure, exit pathways are unblocked, fire alarms are functional, and staff are trained.
” The statement also commended Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, for supporting the Federal Fire and Rescue Act, which is anticipated to bring about a new regime of fire prevention, safety audits, and accountability throughout Nigeria.
