The Lagos State government, through the Safety Commission and Fire and Rescue Service, has flagged off a public enlightenment campaign on fire prevention in marketplaces across the state.
The advocacy campaign, according to a Tuesday statement, is to forestall fire incidents in the marketplaces during the current harmattan season and as residents prepare to celebrate the end of the year.
The Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, while speaking after the flag-off in Jankara market, Lagos Island, emphasised the need for traders in the market to be safety-conscious and be mindful of their environment to prevent fire disasters.
“This enlightenment campaign is about fire safety and you are all aware that the harmattan season has come and harmattan comes with extra risks when it comes to fire. It is very dry and there is a higher chance that we would have a fire.
“So, the message is that they should be careful when carrying out their activities. Carelessness is a big issue because carelessness and human errors are the main causes of fire incidents,” he said.
The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said the enlightenment campaign was about educating the general public, particularly the traders in the markets to understand the market fire safety tips.
Adeseye said, “What happened in April this year where over 20 houses were burnt was as a result of carelessness, and from April till now, the fire incidents in markets are at 0.1 per cent compared to what we used to have, so there is a level of compliance but the government wants 100 per cent compliance.
“We want a safe Lagos free of fire incidents and that is why we are out here to remind them that sleeping in the markets is not allowed, use of camp gas for cooking, and overloading electric sockets should be discouraged while markets must ensure they discuss fire safety awareness during market meetings.”
The Chairman, Wristwatches Sellers Association, Jankara Market, Abdul Yusuf, appreciated the state government through the Safety Commission and Fire Service for consistently bringing advocacy campaigns to the market towards prevention of fire incidents.
Aside from Jankara market, the team also plans to visit Balogun, Dosunmu Ereko, Saabo, Mile 12 markets. Others are Ojuwoye, Tejuosho, Boundary Alaba International, Iyana Iba and Okokomaiko markets.
