ABUJA -Activities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefly came to a halt on Monday when a fire scare occurred at Block B where the three ministers offices are located.

It was learnt that the “Panel Room” where electrical switches controlling each block in the ministry exploded at 9.45 a.m. generating thick smoke.

A reliable source in the ministry told newsmen that a lift attendant, who was trapped as a result of the incident, was later taken to the ministry’s medical centre where he was treated.

In his reaction, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Minister of Foreign Affairs commended the security operatives attached to the ministry for quickly putting out the fire.

“The response to the incident was reasonably above average and there can still be improvement.
“The fire extinguishers in the ministry helped also to put out the fire,” he said.

The minister, who noted that the incident was occurring for the second time, said investigation would be conducted to review the ministry’s electricity situation.

On the delay in the completion of the ministry’s permanent site, Maduekwe explained that the contractors had problems meeting their deadline of June 2008.

“The ministry could not raise funds on time for the project,” he said.

According to Maduekwe, “N2.8 billion budgeted in 2007 for the project lapsed so we are now depending on this year’s budget.’’

He expressed optimism that the building would be completed before 2009.