Olu Samuel

The Kogi State Government has said that poor safety compliance was responsible for the fire incident that gutted Pee Links, a major electronic store in Lokoja , the Kogi state capital one Thursday, destroying goods worth millions of naira.

The State Consultant on Safety Standards, Regulations and Compliance, Elder Friday Sani, disclosed this on Friday during an on-the-spot assessment of the scene of the inferno in Lokoja, the state capital.

Sani said “preliminary findings had identified alleged non-compliance with safety standards as one of the factors that may have contributed to the extent of the damage”.

He explained that investigation was ongoing to establish the actual cause of the fire and identifying measures to prevent a recurrence.

“We were immediately deployed by the state government to ascertain the root cause of this fire incident. Our preliminary findings indicate that there were lapses in compliance with safety standards, which may have contributed to the extent of the damage,” Sani said.

He added that a comprehensive report would be released at the conclusion of the investigation to guide future safety measures and strengthen compliance among businesses operating in the state.

“At the end of our investigation, we will make our findings public so that the appropriate lessons can be learnt. Business owners must understand that compliance with safety regulations is not optional; it is essential to protecting lives, property and investments,” he stated.

Sani urged owners and managers of commercial establishments to prioritise workplace safety by adhering to prescribed standards and ensuring that appropriate fire-prevention and emergency-response measures were in place.

He also commended the state government for its prompt response to the incident, particularly the deployment of fire trucks to contain the blaze and salvage some of the goods in the store.

“An incident of this nature immediately puts the government on its toes, and the response we witnessed demonstrates the importance of preparedness in managing emergencies,” he said.

“We must commend Governor Usman Ododo and his deputy for their proactive approach to emergency management. The swift deployment of fire-service personnel helped contain the situation and prevent further damage.”

Sani expressed gratitude that no lives were lost in the incident, adding that the government would continue to support businesses contributing to the state’s economic development.

“We thank God that there was no loss of life or reported injuries. Our prayer is that incidents of this nature will not happen again. This is why every business owner must take safety regulations seriously,” he added.

Responding, the owner of Pee Links electronic store, Peter Emeka Onujeme, popularly known as Pee Links, attributed the fire to a power surge.

Onujeme expressed appreciation to the Kogi State Government and the fire-service personnel for their swift intervention, saying their response helped salvage the situation and prevent further losses.

He also dismissed suggestions that the incident had any spiritual connection, insisting that attention should be focused on establishing the actual cause of the fire.

The latest incident has renewed concerns about fire-safety compliance among commercial establishments, particularly businesses dealing in electrical and electronic equipment.

Recall that a similar fire incident occurred at the same electronic store in 2020, when goods in the premises were completely destroyed.

“The ongoing investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the latest inferno and determine what additional safety measures may be required to prevent a recurrence.” Sani said