The Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced that it is strategising on plans that will prevent fire outbreaks in the marketplaces, News About Nigeria reports.
The Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this while speaking at the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference organised by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services (LSFRS), held in the state on Tuesday.
He noted that the importance of collective responsibility in preventing fire disasters cannot be overemphasised.
Sanwo-Olu revealed that the government will install a centralised generator in the Lagos Island market to curb incessant market fires.
The governor also noted that fire incidents in the state are often caused by careless behaviour and urged market traders to take responsibility for their actions.
Sanwo-Olu, who spoke on the theme “Stakeholders collaboration: A panacea to incessant fire disasters in Lagos,” called on market leaders to take responsibility for mitigating cases of fire incidents in their domain.
“Fire incidents in the state are largely due to irresponsible behaviour or carelessness. And because people don’t raise the alarm early enough, this government has built fire stations in five years.
“We have brought 64 fire engines. We have increased the capacity by recruiting over a thousand new fire servicemen. If it is about providing what is required, the government will actually do that, but it is about everybody understanding that we have a role to play.
“To the market, men and women, the responsibility lies with you. We have had a series of market fire incidents. People store petrol in the market and also place generators on the rooftops, and you keep looking at them.
“They will refuel a generator while it is working and complain that it is their village people. You saw what happened at Dosunmu and Mandilas. The latest one happened in a church. That is why you all need to caution those who are found culpable. Fire is a respecter of no one. Let us call ourselves to order and join hands to put a stop to this,” he stated.
