Benue State Government (BNSG) has launched the ‘Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Sticker (NFES), a project which has signalled the commencement of the distribution of fire extinguishers as well as the enforcement of its usage in homes and public places across the state.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator, Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Sticker (NFES) concessionaire and N- Alert Technical partner of the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Benson Olatunji has noted that the project would boost the annual Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), of the state to the tune of over N1.6 billion.

The project would also lead to the arrest and prosecution of fake servicing vendors who fill fire extinguisher cylinder with casava flour, that increases fire instead of extinguishing it, at critical moments.

State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia who disclosed this at the launching of NFES in Makurdi last weekend, said the project which would generate about 10,000 jobs, would also curb the rate at which fire extinguisher cylinders are used for the purposes of drug trafficking, terrorism and other crimes.

Represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Joseph Alakali, Governor Alia stated that the project which has the provision for servicing of fire extinguishers, as part of efforts to ensure safety, would also generate the needed employment.

While Governor Alia explained that the project would ensure prompt response to incidences of fire in the state, he observed that the service would boost the state internally generated revenue and block economic loopholes.

According to him, “It (project) will control the situation in which fire extinguishers fail at point of usage; enable arrest and prosecution of fake and wicked servicing vendors who fill fire extinguisher cylinder with casava flour which increases fire instead of quenching it at most critical point of usage.

“It will prevent the use of fire extinguisher cylinders for drug trafficking, terrorism and other crimes.

“The process of distribution, servicing and enforcement will provide over 10,000 sustainable employment opportunities. The service will boost the state IGR and block economic loophole.

“It is another rebirth and re-tooling of our state fire service to effectively deliver its mandate of fire prevention, response and investigation.

“The repositioning will boost their performance in the committees of agencies and deepen public participation in the the state security and public safety.”

Furthermore, the Governor stated that the project was one of his promises to

harness the enormous potentials in youths, in order to position the state as an investment destination.

Therefore, he noted that “To achieve this task, we have reached out to stakeholders in every sector of which fire safety management is one. As universally said and agreed ‘’Safety First’’. The fire safety sector is one of the most critical sectors of the state and national economy.

“Fire vulnerability of any society grows directly propositional to its development. As your income increase, so your choice of furniture and electronics increases.

“Similarly, our society has a lot of fake electronic, electrical cables, low quality cooking gas cylinders and a lot of other fake products including fire extinguishers. These fake products can be difficult to distinguish from the original ones in the market.

“As a fulfilment of my promise during election and delivery of practical solutions towards the safety of our people, today Benue State is breaking another record of being the first state in Nigeria to flag-off Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Sticker (NFES) project.

“To the youths who will be engaged as Ad-hoc staff in this phase, I am assuring you of the state government protection as you carry out your duties.”

The Governor appreciated the Federal Executive Council for approving the project, and called on the Nigeria Police Force, NDLEA, Federal Road Safety Corps, VIO, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, DSS, the Military, NGOs and all stakeholders to collaborate with the state fire service in ensuring that the objectives of the project were achieved.

He also appreciated the people of the state who will use this project to protect themselves and their neighbors against fire disasters.

Governor Alia who assured the management of 2TOC Solutions Ltd, of government’s continued collaboration with the company on mutual grounds, called on all stakeholders to join the state government in making Benue safe by participating in the NFES project across every electoral wards of the state.

Mr. Benson Olatunji, National Coordinator, Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Sticker (NFES) concessionaire and N- Alert Technical partner. Ministry of Interior, Abuja, had earlier explained that the project would be launched in all states and the FCT.

He pointed out that Benue was chosen to pioneer the project in collaboration with the State Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, the Bureau of Internal Affairs (Fire Department Unit), and Office of the Special Adviser on Security.

“The objective of the programme is to sensitize the public on the importance of the multiple uses of fire extinguishers.

“The project is a practical demonstration of the whole society approach to national strategy involving all government security outfits to collaborate to solve internal security and public safety problems.

“Amongst the many benefits of the programme, important to note is the job creation angle where over 1,200 Benue youth were shortlisted and employed immediately as ad-hoc staff who will be employed as career fire service officers at the end of their training.

“Also pertinent to note is that this is the first programme ever to employ such a large number of Benue indigenes across the 23 LGAs in a single exercise in the State.

“It is also set to boost the IGR of the state with annual estimated projections of over N1.6 billion. The programme also sets to boost inter and intra governmental collaboration between Federal Government and State Government”, he said.