Canadian embassy fire not caused by insecurity
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
America has issued a new travel advisory to its citizens to avoid certain states and major hotels in Nigeria, coming two days before the outbreak of fire at the Canadian embassy in Abuja on Monday in which two people died.
However, the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has explained the fire was caused by a diesel tank explosion, not by terrorists.
FEMA spokesman Nkechi Isa confirmed in a statement the fire that gutted a section of the building was traced to a diesel tank which exploded around 10:45am in the generator house of the High Commission as two Mikano generators were being serviced by a five-man team from JMD company.
Her words: “One of the generators was said to be working, while the other one was being serviced when a tank containing 2,000 litres of diesel in the generator house exploded.
“Two of the personnel servicing the generator died from the explosion while two others survived with severe burns and were taken to the Trauma Centre at the National Hospital, Abuja.”
US travel advisory may cause needless panic, says Abuja
Abuja condemned the latest travel advisory by the United States to its citizens in Nigeria, saying it could cause needless panic and have adverse economic impact.
The advisory issued on November 3 warned Americans of “elevated threats” to major hotels in the “larger cities” of Nigeria but clarified the Nigerian security agencies are working to counter the threats.
Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris said such advisory could undermine the efforts the government is making to attract investors to Nigeria.
“We have implemented comprehensive security measures both at the federal and state levels to ensure the safety of tourists and international guests,” Mohammed stressed.
“These measures include intense intelligence gathering, acquisition and deployment of additional platforms, training and re-training of personnel, cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, among others, to maintain a secure environment.”
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Palliatives for economic hardship
Idris explained the administration has provided palliatives in the short, medium, and long terms to help cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, per Vanguard.
He also reiterated the government
- Has approved a wage increase of N35,000 monthly for six months to augment federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation.
- Put N100 billion on the table to deliver CNG-powered buses, and established a presidential committee to drive implementation.
- Is finalising a cash transfer of N25,000 monthly to 15 million of the poorest and most vulnerable households for three months.
- Directed the release of 200,000 metric tonnes (mt) of grain from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to moderate prices, as well as distribution of 225,000 mt of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers.
Insecurity
Idris said the security agencies remain on alert to ensure the safety of citizens, citing how seven bandits were neutralised in various locations in Kaduna between November 1 and 3, and troops rescued two kidnapped youth corpers in Katsina.
“In Kano State, on November 3, a joint operation by troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services carried out a dawn raid operation on terrorists’ hideout in Gezawa Local Government Area, successfully averting an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents.
“In the North East and North West of the country, the Nigerian Air Force has been very busy, with several successful airstrikes on bandits’ and terrorists’ camps and hideouts in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno States.
“The Air Force has also recently taken delivery of four new aircraft, to strengthen the fight against banditry and terrorism.”
“In our maritime environment, on October 25, the Eastern and Central Naval Commands flagged off a Joint Sea Exercise, Exercise SEA GUARDIAN 2023.”
Idris also disclosed the ministry is working on a mass reorientation campaign to foster unity, patriotism, and positive cultural values among citizens.
“We should collectively reorient ourselves as Nigerians, in the direction of a stronger sense of national identity and shared values,” he added.
