The Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, has said the state government saved properties worth over N138.54bn from destruction by fire in the last two years.
He added that the feat was achieved through the effective deployment of firefighters during incidents across the metropolis.
Bamgbose-Martins disclosed this at the ongoing Y2021 Ministerial Press Briefing organised as part of activities marking the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Rendering an account of the activities, Bamgbose-Martins said government plans to establish more fire stations to enhance the performance of the Fire and Rescue Service.
He informed that the Lagos State Fire & Rescue Service responded to a total of 1,899 fire incidents since the inception of the present administration.
The commissioner also said that the service has reduced the occurrence of fire outbreaks by 10 per cent through its enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns on the prevention of fire incidents.
“The Service also responded to 312 rescue calls within the period under review, in which 203 victims were rescued alive unscathed, while others sustained injuries and a few lost their lives in some of the incidents. These are in addition to 98 false calls received and responded to by the Service.”
Bamgbose-Martins reported that the ongoing construction of three additional fire stations in Ijede, Epe and Ado-Soba would soon be completed to boost the response rate to fire-related emergencies in the state.
He also listed six other communities, including the Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Apapa, Ifako Ijaye and Lekki, where the government would establish fire stations in future.
While informing that the state government is working out a strategy for the procurement of new equipment and firefighting trucks for all fire stations, the commissioner restated the present administration’s determination to ensure that the lives and property of residents are protected at all times.
He also said the ministry is working on the provision of fire hydrants across the state, through the restoration of existing hydrants and installation of new ones to curb fire outbreaks, thereby creating water sources for quick response in cases of inferno within Lagos.
Commending Governor Sanwo-Olu for the immense support and various transformations of the fire service, the commissioner said the gesture has improved the operational capacity of the agency and its response to emergencies.
