Home Minister emphasizes heightened Fire Safety measures as 9th International Expo concludes
BM Desk:
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal MP, the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the 9th International Fire Safety and Security Expo 2024 on Tuesday, stressed the pivotal role of fire safety and security compliance, highlighting its positive impact on the country’s industries.
Mr. Kamal stated, ‘We will improve training of fire service personnel and build civil defense, which is our government’s ultimate goal.’
The Home Minister said, ‘we have already created 44,000 volunteers, so that they can play a role in putting out fires before the fire service personnel arrive on the premises. Fire service officials are cautious and active to reduce such events through increasing experience from previous fire incidents.’
Senior secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Tapan Kanti Ghosh said, “We need a collective effort to ensure fire safety.” The building code must be followed during the construction of the building. Along with the government, it is important for entrepreneurs to be aware of this. He urged all concerned to be aware of fire safety even if it is to evaluate people’s lives.
Niaz Ali Chisty, President, ESSAB in his welcome remarks highlighted the significance of prioritizing fire safety amidst Bangladesh’s economic growth. He invited the Foreign Investors to invest in Bangladesh.
ESSAB President said, The participation of more than 100 organizations from 30 countries, more than 15,000 local and foreign visitors, and 3000 attendees in our seminars prove that the awareness among people about fire safety is increasing. He underscored “Smart Fire Safety is a must for Smart Bangladesh.”
The Director General of the department of Fire Service and Civil Defense Brigadier General Main Uddin said, If we spend only Tk 2 out of Tk 100 on fire safety measures in our infrastructure, factories and building, Bangladesh will be safer.
President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Jashim Uddin said, Bangladesh is now moving towards LDC graduation and there are a lot of targets that we have to achieve to be smart and a developed nation.
The industry insiders should bridge the gap between academia and the practical field. The government should provide policy support to make imports substitute fire safety industries. Tax rebate is essential in this regard, he added.
FBCCI Senior Vice President Amin Helaly said that the Fire safety and security concern is growing after some incidents. But, now we should have to take preventive measures and innovative, smart actions to combat before any incident such as earthquake and fire.
If awareness increases, about 80 per cent of the problem will be reduced, he added.
Zakir Uddin Ahmed, Secretary General, ESSAB emphasised on Public-Private Partnership to make Bangladesh safer and secured as efforts to ensure safety from fire incidents cannot be undertaken alone.
ESSAB Senior Vice President SM Shahjahan Saju, Publicity Secretary Nazrul Islam and others spoke at the program.
Among others, Matin Khan, Faisal Mahmud, Engr. Manzur Alam, M. Mahmudur Rashid, Joint Secretary General Mahmood-E-Khoda, Assistant Secretary General Engr. Mahabur Rahman, Treasurer Noor Nabi, Director Wahid Uddin, Eng. Al-Emran Hossain, Major Asheque Kamal, Rafiqul Islam, business leaders and other dignitaries were present at the program.
ESSAB has awarded 13 organizations for ensuring building code compliance and fire safety measures in residential, industrial, and commercial buildings. Rancon Artisti Residences, Sheltech Rubynur, Concord Shapla, Shanta Forum, Concord MK Heritage, and BGMEA Complex were the top winners in the residential building category.
Six companies jointly won the excellence award in the Industrial category. ESSAB also recognized five fire service personnel for their bravery in firefighting and rescue operations.
