The Federal Fire Service has announced a nationwide fire safety compliance audit following Tuesday’s inferno at Afriland Tower, Lagos Island.
At least six additional deaths have been confirmed in the aftermath of the blaze at the six-storey commercial building.
The victims were employees of United Capital, a financial and investment services firm occupying the 3rd and 4th floors of the tower.
The confirmation came just hours after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) disclosed that four of its staff members also died in the incident on Wednesday evening.
It was reported that the fire, which reportedly started in the inverter room in the basement, broke out around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
In a statement on Thursday, the Service’s spokesman, Paul Abraham, said the Controller General, Samuel Olumode, explained that the audit will cover both public and private buildings nationwide, assessing their level of preparedness against fire disasters, enforcing safety standards, and sanctioning errant facilities.
The statement partly read, ‘The Controller General, on behalf of the Service, commiserates with the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacc Adelabu Adedeji, the entire Management and Staff of FIRS, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, Mr. Tony Elumelu, the entire Management and Staff of UBA Group, as well as the families of all those who lost their lives in this tragedy, praying for the repose of the departed and comfort for their loved ones.
‘In a decisive move to prevent a recurrence, the Controller General announced that the Service will roll out a nationwide Task Force on Fire Safety Compliance to audit public and private buildings, enforce safety standards, sanction non-compliance, train facility managers and staff, and strengthen collaboration with regulatory agencies’.
Abraham said the CG has directed investigators to probe the September 16 inferno.
The investigation team has been tasked with examining maintenance records, the functionality of safety systems, and overall compliance with fire regulations at the tower.
He added, ‘Following initial reports indicating that the fire originated from the inverter room of the building, the CGF has directed the immediate deployment of a Federal Fire Service investigation team to establish the direct and remote causes of the incident, including the state of safety systems, maintenance practices, and compliance with fire safety regulations.
‘The findings of the investigation will be made public and all recommendations will be implemented without delay’.
The service further urged facility owners, corporate bodies, and public agencies to immediately review their safety readiness, secure power rooms, unblock exit pathways, and ensure staff are trained in emergency response.
‘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 unblocked, fire alarms functional, and staff trained.
‘Members of the public are advised to observe safety protocols, report non-compliance, and cooperate with fire service inspections’. the statement added.
Olumode also commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for supporting the enactment of the Federal Fire and Rescue Act, which is expected to usher in a new regime of fire prevention, safety audits, and accountability across Nigeria.
