Emergency Response Management : Aiyedatiwa’s Aide, Adabawo meets NSCDC, FiRe Service Boss and LPG Retailers
The SA to the Governor on Emergency Response Prince Oriade Wellington Adebawo hosted a meeting which had in attendance top officials of the Federal and State Fire Service, the NSCDC & ExCos of the LPG association in Ondo State on Wednesday 14 August 2024.
The major thrust of the meeting was to assess the level of safety compliance amongst the LPG retailers, update them on current safety trends and regulations and also provide a platform for them to air their challenges before the SA and representatives of the government agencies.
In attendance were the following distinguished personalities:
1. CFs Ijato Emmanuel (Ondo State Fire Service)
2. Assistant Commandant Yusuf Odunayo (NSCDC)
3. SF Balogun (Head of Prevention, Federal Fire Service)
4. Mrs. Akinsanya (Ddfa, Emergency)
5. Mr. Ogini (Accountant, Emergency)
6. Engr. Folorunsho (Director,.Ondo State Fire Service)
7. Mr. Amondi Ben (Pioneer Chairman, LPGRAM)
8. Mr. Ologun Olanrenju (Ondo State Fire Service)
And other members of the LPG retailers association.
The representatives from the Federal and State Fire Service, and the Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took turns to elaborate on the inescapable importance of incorporating a holistic safety and risk management culture in the day to day running of an LPG retail outlet. Speaker after speaker highlighted the need for the gathered ExCo of the LPG retailers association to continually ensure that their members adhere to every stringent safety standard while carrying out their business to avoid situations which may easily degenerate into full-blown disaster scenarios.
In response, some representatives of the LPG retailers agreed that a vibrant safety culture is of paramount importance to their business which was why their association had already taken several proactive steps in the past in terms of vetting new members, training the vetted members and ensuring that they have the necessary safety and regulatory clearances in place before being fully assimilated into their fold. Verifiable instances were made pertaining to certain areas like Owo and even Akure. But they said one of their major challenges also has to do with renegade retailers who have gone ahead to form an illegal rival association with little or no regard for proper safety standards. It was also worrying to them how the DPR seem to be granting approvals for siting of LPG retail outlets in residential areas and issuing certificates to some of these maverick undocumented retailers. They pleaded with the SA to the Governor on Emergency Response to look into these unsavoury happenings.
The Federal and State Fire Service representatives informed the LPG retailers ExCo members that subsequently all fire safety training activities are to be conducted or supervised by their offices as it is their exclusive duty. This they said, was necessary as it is only Federal/State Fire Service officials who have the prerequisite training, experience and exposure required to provide up-to-date training ideas and materials which will go a long way in improving their knowledge of current fire safety protocols.
The pioneer Chairman of the LPG retailers association thanked the SA to the Governor on Emergency Response for providing the means necessary for the timely discourse which in his opinion had been long overdue especially in light of the sensitive nature of their business. He gave assurances that the current Chairman and other ExCo members will work hand in hand with the Ondo State Government to provide a safer environment for all citizens.
Some representatives of the LPG retailers complained about the issue of having to deal with multiple government agencies like the NSCDC, Fire Service, Ministry of Environment, Police, DPR etc citing their displeasure at having to pay for similar certificates from some of these agencies. Prince Oriade Adebawo assured them that that would soon be a thing of the past as such activities would be streamlined to ensure multiple payments for certificates are reduced to the barest minimum as his office would be working in tandem with all the relevant government agencies. This submission was also echoed by the representatives of the government agencies present.
The ExCo members of the LPG retailers association jointly pledged to fully cooperate and work with the Ondo State Government through the relevant security and safety agencies to ensure the Government’s zero-tolerance policy regarding disasters is sustained. They further enthused that having Prince Oriade Wellington Adebawo as the SA to the Governor on Emergency Response was indeed putting a round peg in a round hole has many of them were already familiar with his undiluted passion for safety issues dating from his days as a State Fire Service official.
Subsequently, the meeting came to an end after representatives of the government agencies agreed to form an Emergency Response Task Force which will be saddled with the responsibility of pooling resources, sharing intel and enhancing operational synergy between sister agencies to help reduce response time in emergency situations.
E-Signed:
Babajide Lawal-Aromasodu
Office of the SA to the Governor on Emergency Response
