To end the constant market fires, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services (LSFRS), has announced plans to establish a centralized generator in the Lagos Island market. This is in line with the statement of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who emphasized the value of shared accountability in averting fire tragedies. Speaking on Tuesday, June 26, 2024, at the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference, which the LSFRS organized in the State, the Governor said that reckless behavior frequently results in fire incidents in the State, and he asked market vendors to be accountable for their activities.

While speaking on the topic of “Stakeholder Collaboration: A panacea to Incessant Fire Disasters in Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu urged market leaders to assume accountability for reducing the number of fire incidents that occur within their watch. Carelessness and irresponsible behavior are the main causes of fire incidents in the State,” he stated. Additionally, this government has constructed fire stations in the last five years because citizens do not sound the alarm early enough.

Sixty-four fire engines are with us. We have expanded our capability by adding over a thousand new Fire Service members. As far as the government is concerned, it will fulfill its obligations; the important thing is that every one of us recognizes our responsibility. Several market fire incidents have occurred. You keep seeing people storing gasoline in the market and setting up generators on rooftops.

“They will refill the generator while it is working and complain that it’s their village people. At Dosunmu and Mandilas, you saw what happened, and the recent one happened in a church. You must all warn those who are discovered to be at fault for this reason. Fire doesn’t care who you are. Let’s call ourselves to order and work together to end this.”

LSFRS Director Margaret Adeseye, for her part, blamed negligence and carelessness for fire incidents in the State but emphasized that stakeholders must work together to develop long-term solutions.

Adeseye revealed that the government intended to implement a centralized generator to eliminate the requirement for private generators to address market fires on the Lagos Island market.

“Lagosians should unite as stakeholders because fire safety and prevention are everyone’s concerns, the speaker declared. We’re all here to plan and take a comprehensive approach to ensure fire incidents have lasting solutions. It is now more than the agency’s responsibility and is no longer a one-man show. Along with our collective reasoning, the stakeholders will bring various knowledge and experience.

“A long-term solution to fire incident cases will be found by the end of the three-day conference. The government established a committee to ensure we reposition the Lagos Island market. Ultimately, all individual generators will be curtailed because the committee members are putting in much work. To address instances of individuals operating the generator, we will implement a centralized generator as indicated.”

In his keynote speech, Olugbenga Oyerinde, the State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, stated that the administration would continue to use the global technological approach to create an environment supportive of collaboration and partnerships with relevant organizations, corporate bodies, individuals, and experts who have achieved greatness in emergency management and fire disaster prevention.

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