• Federal, Lagos fire services call for synergy
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has challenged industry, traditional, market leaders and others on the need to develop strategies that would mitigate fire disasters and their devastating effects on the life and property of citizens.
The governor made the call, yesterday when he declared the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference 2024 open at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The theme of the conference, ‘Stakeholders Collaboration: A Panacea to Incessant Fire Disasters in Lagos’, which highlights the urgent need for united action to combat the increasing threat of fire disasters, aimed at stimulating diverse opinions from relevant stakeholders on ways to reduce recurring fire outbreaks and bring them to the barest minimum.
Sanwo-Olu said educating the citizens about the fire risk, and preventing strategies would create a culture of safety where community groups, religious organisations, educational institutions, and traditional institutions have a pivotal role at disseminating information, knowledge sharing, and fostering a sense of collaborative responsibility.
Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), Margaret Adeseye, who spearheaded the conference, said that fire incident is a catalyst for tangible action, with workshops, seminars, panel discussions, and an expo designed to foster the exchange of ideas, best practices, and innovative solutions.
Also, Assistant Controller General of Fire (ACGF), Ijeoma Achi-Okidi, who represented the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Jaji Abdulganiyu, said the alarming rise in distress calls, as recorded by the Federal Fire Service Lagos Zonal Command and the Lagos State Fire Service, with significant casualties and property losses, underscored the critical importance of the conference.She said that the Federal Fire Service is steadfast in its readiness to collaborate and support the State Fire Services.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, said that the conference is a pointer to the need for collaboration and partnership in fire disaster preparedness, prevention, mitigation and efficiency in the state’s emergency management efforts for the safety of life and property of the citizenry.
