THE Lagos State government has, within the last one year, saved property worth more than N76.9billion from destruction during fire incidents and other emergency situations, just as it has developed various strategies to efficiently improve processes of emergency management in the State.

Oluseye Oladejo, the commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, disclosed this at the ongoing Y2018 Ministerial Press Briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja to commemorate the third year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

He said the state government was aware of the impact of safety and disaster issues on health, welfare and productivity of Lagosians, as such it has initiated different strategies to improve the emergency process and response.

He informed that as part of the present administration’s efforts to promote a Safety Culture in Lagos State, various departments and agencies are saddled with the responsibility of managing safety and emergency, adding that the interaction between these multiple government agencies remain key in safety and emergency management and needs to be well honed and properly harnessed.

The commissioner stressed further that it is important to continue work on the improvement, renewal and sustenance of the existing synergy amongst the various agencies and first responders in the State to ensure improved collaboration, increased productivity, improved response time and more importantly, to enhance the living conditions of the people.

Oladejo said that in view of the growing population and rapid physical development in Lagos State, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode realised the need to expand the operational frontier of the Fire Service to meet the urgent needs and expectations of the people in terms of accessibility and proximity to the grassroots.

According to him, three new emergency stations namely – Bolade-Oshodi, Ejigbo and Abesan were established across the State while the Governor has also approved the creation of four additional fire stations located at Safety Arena in Oshodi; Eredo in Epe; Olorunda in Badagry and Ijegun in Satellite Town.

He explained further that existing fire stations in Alausa, Ikeja, Isolo, Agege, Ilupeju, Badagry, Surulere, Ikotun and Agege would be upgraded to ensure and guarantee a prompt response to fire and other distress calls.

The commissioner affirmed that the present Administration has re-invented Government’s approach to emergency management and incident response practices in the state, saying LASEMA has been rebranded and repositioned to a standard comparable only to any first-class emergency management agency that is worth its salt.

He also disclosed that the government has established relief/resettlement camps in Agbowa and Igando to cater for disaster-related Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, across the State, revealing that work has commenced on the construction of a third relief/rehabilitation camp in Lekki, which was approved by Ambode last year.

He said under the year in review, about 5,700 Corps officers were recruited across the State, provided with the operational gadgets to embark on patrols using tailor-made bicycles for difficult terrains as well as tasked to mediate in disputes and ensure harmony in their respective communities.

The commissioner further stated that to underscore the importance government attached to activities relating to safety and security of lives and property, the  Command Control Centre, CCC, equipment has been upgraded to receive live pictures from closed-circuit TVs and Live cast from anywhere in Lagos State.

He, therefore, enjoined Lagosians to utilise the emergency toll-free lines 767 and 112 for any emergency situation 24 hours daily.

– Apr. 17, 2018 @ 12:35 GMT

AE