Inferno: FEMA frowns at return of petrol dealers to Kubwa market

Barely a year after the explosion that rocked the Kubwa Village Market due to an accident caused by people selling kerosene at the market, some dealers of petroleum products have returned to the market despite the warnings of the risk involved in selling such products in an open market.

Recall that six persons had lost their lives and several other wounded, in the explosion that rocked the Kubwa Ultra-Modern Market in November 2021. The carnage was reported caused by an explosion from a phone used by a Kerosene seller.

Officials of the FCT Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, who were on sensitization campaign at the Kubwa market last Thursday, frowned at the returned of dealers of petroleum products after the 2021 incident.

The director, Forecasting Response Mitigation of FEMA, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, who led the team to sensitise residents on how prevent fire outbreak in markets, offices, homes and other public places, warned against selling of kerosene diesel and engine oil in markets.

She said, “You will recall that sometimes ago there was a kerosene explosion in this Kubwa village market and to be specific at this location.

“This is a location where a lady was selling kerosene and another woman was frying beans cake and there was explosion and we were involved in the rescue operation.

“Since, then we use to come here to carryout sensitisation to talk to them and advise them on the dos and donts’ in terms of disasters of different kinds.”

She explained that during dry season, the agency discouraged traders from selling petroleum products in different locations because such products are supposed to be sold only at the filling station.

“But if you look around you will see people selling petroleum products like kerosene, diesel, engine oil, under the high-tension wire. You also can see a generator mechanic and somebody selling kerosene right beside a transformer and under the high-tension wire.

“That is why the FCT Ministers, the Permanent Secretary of FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola and the Director-General of FEMA, Abbas Idriss, directed us to come out immediately to advice the residents on how to mitigate the incidence of fire outbreak in the territory.

She asssured that the agency would continue to intensify efforts to rid the territory of all kinds of disaster with a view to save lives and properties.

“What we are doing here is a continuation of the Dry Season sensitisation which we started in November 2022.

“We have been moving from one market to another to enlighten traders on how they can prevent fire outbreak in the market.”

Earlier, the Divisional Fire Officer, Kubwa Division, Uwadoneh Idorenyi, emphasised the need for traders and the FCT residents to avoid all risk factors associated with fire outbreak.

She also advised residents to have fire blankets in their kitchens, avoid storing petroleum products at homes and ensure to switch off all electrical appliances whenever they are going out.