Nigeria’s House of Representatives has given the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service Jaji Abdulganiyu 24 hours to appear in person and explain events surrounding Friday’s fire truck accident that claimed three lives, leaving many other persons injured in Abuja.
The Minority Whip of the House, Ali Isa issued the ultimatum on Tuesday after the Fire Service Director-General failed to honour its earlier invitation.
The House summon followed an incident that culminated in the loss of lives of three siblings Friday evening at the ECOWAS junction in Wuse 2, Abuja, during a firefighting operation at Avenue Plaza, Banex.
The minority whip noted that the house had seen several videos on social media emerging from the scene of the accident with no public statement from the service.
The lawmaker directed that the service should immediately visit the family of the deceased and those injured, engage and commiserate with them, take over the medical bills of those in the hospital and make arrangements for adequate compensations.
Isa said that the service should put measures in place to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
The Deputy Controller-General Administration and Supplies of the Federal Fire Service, Samuel Olumode, who appeared before the committee, said that the service was very remorseful over the incident
He explained that the Controller General’s absence at the investigative committee sitting was as a result of other state state engagement, blaming the incident on the urgency of the operation, and noted that the truck driver did not stop for fear of mob action which has become common against fire fighters in the federal capital territory.
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The deputy controller-general, in his presentation, told lawmakers that the driver reported to the nearest police station and has been in detention since then, explaining that the service had taken several actions, including visiting the family of the deceased and those in the hospital with a delegation
The Federal Fire Service says it has also attended the funeral service of some of the deceased at the National Mosque, Abuja, and the subsequent burial of the deceased
Olumode said that the service has also issued a public apology aired and published by major media organisations in the country to Pacify the family of the deceased.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
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