A fire outbreak has been reported in the Senate Chambers on Thursday, February 15, 2018, forcing senators to abandon plenary.
According to reports from legislative correspondents, after adoption of votes and proceedings, Ibrahim Gobir, Sokoto-APC, moved that the plenary be adjourned due to the “unconducive” state of the chamber.
“The condition is not very conducive because our chambers are there; yesterday we engaged the contractors working in the senate. We believe it is now Saturday they will be able to finish it,” he said.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, approved the prayer.
He said, “What you presented to us makes sense. Definitely the chamber is not conducive for today’s s activities and as such, I would direct that we adjourn till Tuesday so that between now and the weekend the members of the services and maintenance unit can ensure that we bring the chamber into a conducive environment.
The smoke that enveloped the chamber as a result of fire outbreak suspected to be from the technical room has cleared.
The fire started in the legal department and accounts departments of the National Assembly Service Commission.
The FCT Fire Service deployed two fire engines to bring the fire under control before it could spread to other offices.
Panic-stricken staffers, who had vacated the building, gathered some distance away to discuss the incident.
Sani Saidu, the director of FCT Fire Service, who confirmed the incident, told journalists that the fire incident was caused by power outage as a result of power fluctuation.
He said the situation had been brought under control and no damage was done
“It was caused by electrical fault as a result of power fluctuation. It was brought under control.
“No damage was done.’’
There was a similar fire incident at the National Assembly Annex last year on the ground floor which was also said to have been caused by an electrical fault.
