By Aaron Ossai
Following a fire fighting truck accident that claimed three lives in Abuja last Friday, the House of Representatives has given the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Mr. Jaji Abdulganiyu 24 hours to appear before it to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Minority Whip of the House, Hon. Ali Isah issued the ultimatum on Tuesday after the service helmsmen failed to honour earlier invitations.
It could be recalled that the incident in which three siblings lost their lives happened late Friday evening at the ECOWAS junction in Wuse 2, Abuja during a firefighting operation at Avenue Plaza, Banex.
Isah said that the house had seen on social media videos emerging from the scene of the accident but had not seen any public statement from the service.
The lawmaker directed that the service should immediately visit the family, engage and commiserate with them, take over the medical bills of those in the hospital and make arrangements for adequate compensations.
Isah said that the service should put measures in place to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.
“The nonappearance of the CG without any cogent reason is not appropriate. I do not think at this point there is any more serious engagement that is more than the invitation from the National Assembly at a time we are all mourning the loss of lives of Nigerians.
“I believe I also support my colleagues that we have to request the DG to appear with all his team, either within 24 hours or maximum of 48 hours.
“But before then, the organisation has to engage the family where necessary, even if it means compensation to the family.
“The government has to do that, the patients in the hospital, the organisations in your agency, have to take full responsibility for the bills and the treatment of the patients,” he said.
Earlier, the Deputy Controller-General Administration and Supplies, Mr Samuel Olumode said that the service was very remorseful over the incident.
He explained that the CG was not around in person as he had to attend to other state matters but delegated him and other officers to represent him.
Olumode said that no one will love to lose any life especially because no one can create life or replace any once it is lost, blaming the incident on the urgency of the operation.
He explained that the fire truck driver involved in the accident did not stop for fear of mob action which he said was common against fighters.
