The Lagos State government, in collaboration with the Safety Commission and Fire and Rescue Service, has launched a statewide public awareness campaign on fire prevention in marketplaces.
The initiative aims to reduce the risk of fire outbreaks during the harmattan season and the festive end-of-year celebrations.
Speaking at the campaign’s launch in Jankara Market, Lagos Island, the Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, highlighted the importance of safety consciousness among traders 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,” Mojola stated.
He emphasized the dangers of carelessness in market operations, noting, “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.”
Adding to the discourse, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, underscored the campaign’s focus on educating traders about fire safety in their marketplaces.
“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,” Adeseye explained.
She urged traders to avoid risky practices such as sleeping in the markets, using camp gas for cooking, and overloading electrical sockets, stressing the need to include fire safety awareness in market meetings.
“We want a safe Lagos free of fire incidents,” she added.
Chairman of the Wristwatches Sellers Association at Jankara Market, Abdul Yusuf, expressed gratitude to the state government for its consistent advocacy efforts.
In addition to Jankara Market, the campaign team plans to visit other key markets across Lagos, including Balogun, Dosunmu Ereko, Saabo, Mile 12, Ojuwoye, Tejuosho, Boundary Alaba International, Iyana Iba, and Okokomaiko markets.
