0
ABUJA – A fire outbreak at the Senate wing of the National Assembly was swiftly contained on Wednesday after smoke filled Hearing Room 107, preventing it from spreading beyond the kitchen compartment.
The incident occurred shortly after the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) concluded the screening of Dr. Zainab Marwa as the nominee to represent the North-East on the commission’s board.
Sources said the fire was caused by a microwave oven left on in the kitchen area. Smoke quickly filled the hearing room, causing brief commotion among officials and journalists present.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong of Cross River South, and Senator Salihu Mustapha of Kwara Central, intervened immediately and put out the fire before it escalated.
Their quick response ensured the fire was extinguished and normal activities resumed shortly after.
No injuries or significant damage to property were reported as of press time. Earlier, lawmakers expressed satisfaction with Marwa’s responses to questions on her new role in the NDDC during the screening.
President Bola Tinubu had last week requested the Senate to confirm the nominee as a member of the NDDC Governing Board. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who read the president’s letter during plenary, referred it to the committee for legislative action and to report back within two weeks.
