The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Minna Operations Office, on Tuesday, sensitised traders and residents on fire outbreak prevention due to the commencement of harmattan season.

The head of NEMA Operations Office in Minna, Zainab Sai’du, said the sensitisation was to create awareness of fire prevention.

According to her, there is a need for people to be careful in handling inflammable materials, especially now that the harmattan season has set in.

Ms Sai’du was represented at the occasion by Zainab Ndanusa, head, Disaster and Risk Reduction Unit, NEMA, Minna Operations Office.

She noted that the fire had claimed several lives and that it was also responsible for the loss of valuable assets and property in the area.

Ms Sai’du stated that the agency would continue to educate the people on measures to protect themselves from fire in order to prevent losses, especially at markets.

According to her, the agency is also using the medium to educate the people further on safety tips to embrace, especially during the dry season.

The NEMA chief advised residents to switch off and unplug all electrical appliances and keep inflammable materials far away from heat.

Responding, Ishaku Abdullahi, the secretary of Abdulkadir Kure Ultra-Modern Market, Minna, urged traders to adhere to safety measures by ensuring that they put off all electrical appliances in their shops while closing.

Mr Abdullahi also enjoined them to have fire extinguishers in their shops in case of a fire outbreak. 

(NAN)