20th May, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
At least 82 people have been burnt to death and properties valued at N25.37 billion destroyed in series of fire incidents in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria in the last one year.
Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde disclosed this on Monday at a ministerial news conference in Alausa, Ikeja.
He also disclosed that properties estimated at N152.22 billion were saved from being burnt during fire incidents, adding that 376 victims were successfully rescued.
Oyerinde said the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also received 2,537 incidents, including 1,627 fire calls, 191 rescue calls, 93 salvage calls, and 4 explosions, alongside 607 false alarms.
In his words: “Key statistics from the year’s emergency calls revealed a total of 2,537 incidents, including 1,627 fire calls, 191 rescue calls, 93 salvage calls, and 4 explosions, alongside 607 false alarms.
“This highlighted the critical need for increased awareness of fire safety measures to combat the impact of negligence and non-compliance with safety codes.
“Despite the challenges, the agency successfully rescued 376 victims, preserving an estimated property worth of N152.22 billion, albeit with a regrettable loss of 82 casualties and N25.37 billion in property damage.
“Non-emergency activities conducted during the year included the inspection of 7,819 facilities, issuance of fire safety compliance certificates to 5,220 facilities, issuance of 92 fire reports upon request, and a total of 364 advocacy initiatives, among other endeavors,” he said.
In line with efforts to bolster infrastructure, Oyerinde said three new fire stations were nearing completion in Ijegun-Egba, Satellite Town, and Ijede, while an ultramodern workshop at the Alausa headquarters is nearly finished to cater for the agency’s fleet maintenance needs.
Additionally, he said land spaces had been identified for the development of additional fire stations in Ibeji Lekki, Ifako Ijaiye, among others.
“The welfare of personnel received a boost, with special allowances approved for firefighters, including uniform maintenance, shift allowances, hazard allowance, and provision of personal protective equipment.
“Capacity development was also prioritized through both foreign and local training and retraining programs to ensure readiness for emerging trends,” he said.