Lagos Saves N76.9b, Loses N12.8bn Property To Fire
Lagos State Government on Monday said the State Fire Services and other emergency agencies in the state salvaged property worth N76.9billion from destruction in 980 fire calls recorded in the state between May 2017 and April 2018, while property worth N12.8bn were lost to the fire outbreaks in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-governmental relations, Mr Oluseye Oladejo, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos hinted that the fire service received 1,282 emergency calls, of which 980 were fire calls.
According to him, a total of 333 victims were rescued while the agency recorded 202 rescue calls and 83 false calls adding that, 84 were also recovered dead.
He noted that despite the sizeable number of incidents recorded, the state government was able to respond promptly to emergencies thereby saving lots of lives and properties.
He said: “Within the period under review, the State Government rehabilitated and upgraded 225 old Fire Hydrants that were initially below ground level in Lagos Metropolis and Installed 50 new additional ones to link the Mini/Micro Water Works in the State. The hydrants have been providing easy access to copious Water supply for Firemen during Fire-fighting and Rescue Operations.
To prevent mishaps on streets and major highways in the state, the Commissioner disclosed that plans were underway to commence removal of all abandoned vehicles on roads is already to paid gear to complement emergency recovery efforts. He said the move was aimed at further addressing traffic decongestion and averting security challenges associated with abandoned vehicles.
He said the governor has approved the creation of Vehicle Recovery Unit to solely see to the removal of abandoned and vehicles involved in accidents on the roads, adding that plans were being firmed up for the take-off of the unit soon.
