Lagos State government has embarked on a sensitisation campaign to markets to educate the traders on fire prevention and safety measures.
The move comes following the recent fire incidents in some markets in the state.
Addressing the traders during the sensitisation exercise at the Timber markets in Oko-Baba, Amu in Mushin, and Isolo, the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde said the losses recorded as a result of fire incidents in some parts of the state led to the sensitisation campaign.
Oyerinde joined by the officials of the Safety Commission and Fire and Rescue Service said that the campaign would be taken to other sectors in the state to further enlighten and inform traders on the need to take precautionary measures towards safeguarding their property.
He said the state has mapped out strategic engagement with different sectors for this year, stressing that efforts will be intensified to ensure public enlightenment on how to reduce the occurrence of fire disasters in Lagos.
Blocking loopholes
While speaking with the traders, the Director General of the Lagos Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola stressed that every citizen must be proactive and ensure they block all loopholes that can trigger fire incidents, particularly during this harmattan season.
He said that in personal, occupational and business environments, there must be a willingness to provide preventive mechanisms that will guide against any form of fire disaster as the commission will continue to carry out its mandate to ensure a safer environment.
Mojola said, “we are here to bring the message of safety to the grassroots, like we always say, prevention is better than cure. It is better to prevent fire than fight the fire because when you fight the fire there are so many things that happen. First is the loss of lives, and second is property damage. That is why we are here in the markets to talk to traders about fire prevention and safety measures. We have seen the improvement from where we are coming from. It is a continuous exercise that will be done in all the nooks and crannies of Lagos state.’’
Fire statistics
While giving the statistics of fire incidents that occurred in Lagos State in the last year, the Director of the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye told the traders that about 2,583 fire outbreaks were recorded in the state in 2023.
Adeseye said the rescue service also received 251 emergency calls in January alone, attributing the rise in the cases of fire outbreaks primarily to negligence and delayed reporting.
She added that improper storage of petroleum products, misuse of electrical appliances, hot works operations, and mishandling of gas cylinders remained significant contributing factors to most of the fire incidents, calling on citizens to take safety measures at all times.
Adeseye however restated the commitment of the Lagos State government to intensify its fire safety awareness campaign across all local government areas, focusing on key public spaces, including markets, hospitals, schools, and religious centres for enhanced outreach efforts.
Dominica Nwabufo
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