Next Cash and Carry says incident may hinder further investment in FCT
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Next Cash and Carry is seeking probe of the fire outbreak in its ultra-modern, fire-proof store in Abuja on December 26 which consumed goods worth millions of naira and put on the line the jobs of 1,000 workers, 3,000 vendors, and 200 farmers.
The company appealed “to the investigating authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the fire outbreak which is strange and has the effect of adversely affecting future investments in the FCT and Nigeria at large,” General Manager Neil Pape said in a statement.
He articulated the strangeness of the fire against the following background:
- Next Cash and Carry facilities and store were built and operated according to international standards.
- As the General manager of Next Cash and Carry Nigeria, I had worked in the best retail outlets in the world before joining Next Cash and Carry Nigeria and with my wealth of experience I can confirm that the operations of Next Cash and Carry Nigeria and facilities are of first class standard.
- The roof covering of the building is fire proof and was built by Tower Aluminium, Kaduna.
- Next Cash and Carry has a competent firefighting truck in Abuja which has assisted the Fire Service in several fire incidents in the city.
- The company has fire extinguishers and fire hose reels connected to the hydrant placed in strategic positions all within the store under the FCT [Federal Capital Territory] Fire Service supervision.
- The FCT Fire service conducts quarterly fire outbreak training for all staff and certifies all our operations.
- Next Cash and Carry has outsourced and employed a professional security company (Olode Security & Technology Nigeria Ltd).
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Backstory
Pape recounted that the fire started at about 10.45am on December 26, two days after the shop closed for Christmas holiday on December 24 to allow staff and customers celebrate the Christmas holiday.
“The shop was scheduled to open on December 26 at 12pm …. The cleaners, cashiers, security and bakery staff came into the shop in the early hours of December 26 to clean and get all the facets of the store ready for operations at 12pm.”
He said the cleaners had barely finished cleaning the store when the fire started from one of the departments and “the staff immediately alerted fire fighters as well as security operatives.
“They all assisted in no small measure to reduce the extent of the damage caused by the fire.”
Thanks God for no loss of life
Pape disclosed that the company has a workforce of about 1,000 direct and indirect staff and over 3,000 vendors with 200 farmers supplying items to the store.
“We sincerely thank all our customers and well-meaning Nigerians who have shown empathy and compassion towards the staff and management of the company.
“In a special way the company would like to thank God Almighty for no loss of life.”
Pape also expressed gratitude to government officials and agencies, private firms, as well as the immediate community and individuals who helped to combat the inferno.
