The Federal Government has tasked market and shop owners to be fire conscious by installing fire fighting equipment in shops concerning the Abuja shop inferno. Government said installation of fire fighting equipment by shop owners and market authorities had become imperative to protect lives and properties.
The government in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Bashir Nura Alkali, through the ministry’s Director of Press, Rhoda Iliya, quoted the minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq, of expressing concerns over the incessant fire incidents across the country.
She hinted that the latest fire in Abuja market would be investigated. Farouq also advised that fire fighting equipment should be installed in shops and at strategic areas in the markets. 
She also cautioned against cooking and improper handling of electrical appliances in markets to prevent fire disaster. Farouq afterwards, sympathised with the shop owners of the popular Karimo market in the suburb of the Federal Capital Territory over the fire incident that razed the market.
Recalling that the inferno which happened in the early hours of Thursday, affected many shops and destroyed goods worth millions of Naira. “The minister is worried by the frequent fire disaster in markets across the country and called on shop owners and market authorities to be fire-conscious to protect lives and property. “She advised that fire fighting equipment should be installed in shops and at strategic areas in the markets. She also cautioned against cooking and improper handling of electrical appliances in markets to prevent fire disaster,” the statement reads, “Farouq commended the combined efforts of the firefighters from government agencies, companies and individuals that brought the fire under control. She said the cause of the fire will be investigated by the relevant government authority.”
