Experts Seek Scientific Investigation to Recession

As efforts are being intensified to improve the Nigerian economy, experts have advised government and private businesses to exercise strict caution against careless  accident and emergency situation that could rip off investment and divert business focus.

The expert, National Fire Prevention Awareness and Advocacy (,NFPAWA) urged entities to learn from previous mishaps by employing scientific models in investigating occurrences, useful in making safety recommendations intended to prevent a recurrence of similar and future accident, thus securing investment and resources.

While referring to recent fire incidence in the country and the accompanying impact on the economy, it noted that the Nigeria economy would continue to lag behind if it failed to learn from past mistakes and resort to proper adjustment.

According to the NFPWA Programme Director, Mrs. Anthonia Beri, who faulted Nigeria’s effort in reacting to fire occurrence, especially in the area of investigation, stated that its method had not always followed scientific procedures  that should have provided accurate guidelines against recurrence.

“In Nigeria, the fundamental principles for determining the causes of fire did not involve science, but it was rather based on the experience of the investigator and most times this resulted in conclusions that were not tested to determine their validity.

“Fire investigation cannot be left to the discretion of an individual without adequate proof to back up the theory. We may have heard during reports of fire incidence, when the investigator is queried, the reply would be ‘That is the only thing that can cause the fire, what else is there’, in which the investigator would have eliminated certain scenario to arrive at the conclusion. In fire investigation, the three most important things are: fire origin, fire cause, and responsibility. The determination of the fire origin, through a systematic process, is the beginning point for an investigator’s findings and opinions”, she informed.
She pointed out that the ill attitude of Nigerians to fact-finding was also supported by lack of skill and knowledge as well as low standard of professional skills as she called for government and proprietors’ intervention and investment in capacity building and skill acquisition programmes.

She remarked that NFPWA forthcoming conference and training seek to bridge the knowledge and skills gap in the investigation field which will be beneficial to both business owners and government.

“The May 2017 programme holding at the Oriental Hotels, Lagos is an opportunity for professionals and operators to develop the required human capacity to efficiently support and drive their corporate objectives.
We will be dealing extensively on investigation for safety purposes .We have a module for insurers and their regulators, the defence arm: military, police, navy and Air force, lawyers, risk officers and surveyors on principles of forensic investigation used by expert witnesses in a court of law.”

Beri affirmed that complying with global standards of fact findings in cases of accidents would see companies pay less insurance premium, enjoy credible reputation, stakeholders older buy-in and increased confidence in their business continuity plan.

“For businesses, investing on disaster again and again threatened their continuity, and the economy of the host country is ultimately affected. Specifically, improper investigation will cause unsuspecting insurance companies fall victims of  indemnity payment  and on the other hand, smart insurance companies neglect their responsibilities by passing the blame to ignorant firms”, she added.

She urged firms and bodies to take a clue from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guide and standards which were endorsed by National Association of Fire Investigators, (NAFI).

“NFPA 921 sets the bar for scientific-based investigation and analysis of fire and explosion incidents. It is the foremost guide for rendering accurate opinions as to incident origin, cause, responsibility, and prevention”, she said.