A total of 472 structural fires occurred across the nation between July 31, 2021, and July 31, 2024. Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa discussed these statistics in Parliament on Monday, noting that there were 102 fires during the 2021-2022 financial year, 171 in 2022-2023, and 199 in 2023-2024.
Mr. Nalumisa expressed his condolences to families affected by these incidents, lamenting the loss of lives during past fires. He reported six casualties in 2021, including one child, six in 2022 with two children, six in 2023 with one child, and three in 2024.
He emphasized the Coalition Government’s commitment to enhancing the National Fire Authority (NFA) and its fire safety efforts. The government has prioritized funding for the NFA, allocating 25 percent of its annual budget, which amounts to $6.1 million. Mr. Nalumisa noted that this is the largest budget the NFA has ever received from any government.