By Adamu Yusuf
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), through its Kaduna Operations Office, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, increased investment in fire prevention, and improved emergency coordination to reduce the incidence of fire disasters in Kaduna State.
The call was made during a one-day organized programme for Stakeholders’ Engagement on Fire Disaster Management held at the agency’s office today in Kaduna.
Speaking at the event, the Head of NEMA Operations Office, Kaduna, *Hajia Halima D. Sulaiman* , represented by the Head of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Unit, *Ikramat Umar* , stressed that coordinated action had become imperative as fire outbreaks continue to claim lives, destroy property and livelihoods, and inflict significant economic losses.
She identified electrical faults, gas explosions, unsafe handling of petroleum products, careless use of naked flames, bush burning, poor storage of combustible materials, and weak compliance with fire safety regulations as major causes of fire incidents.
She further noted that rapid urbanization, congested settlements, poor access roads, and delays in reporting emergencies often worsen the impact of fire outbreaks.
According to her, disaster management is a shared responsibility, emphasizing that no single agency possesses the capacity to effectively prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from major fire emergencies.
Halima explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was convened to review existing coordination mechanisms, identify operational gaps, clarify institutional responsibilities, and develop practical strategies to strengthen emergency preparedness and response.
She added, “It is always better to prevent disasters than to respond after lives and property have already been lost,”
Also speaking, the Head of Inspection, Investigation and Enforcement of the Federal Fire Service, Kaduna Command, *Mr. Isa Sadiq* , emphasized that fire prevention remains the most effective strategy for protecting lives and property.
He expressed concern that many public and private institutions have installed fire detection and suppression systems that have become ineffective due to poor maintenance.
” Most of these facilities have fire safety equipment, but they are not working, they were installed but many have not been maintained, It is better we invest in prevention because once a fire starts, the damage is already done” He said.
Mr. Isa Sadiq disclosed that the Federal Fire Service had commenced profiling organisations with functional firefighting equipment across Kaduna metropolis as part of efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve compliance with fire safety standards.
He also advocated the establishment of a unified emergency communication system, stressing that timely information sharing is essential for effective emergency response.
The engagement brought together representatives from the Kaduna State Fire and Public Safety Service, Federal Fire Service, Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Safety Awareness and Environmental Support Initiative, as well as traditional and religious leaders.
At the end of the meeting, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration, intensifying public sensitization, and enhancing emergency preparedness to reduce the occurrence and impact of fire disasters across Kaduna State.
