14th January, 2013
Representative of Lagos Mainland Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bashir Oloto, has warned residents of his constituency against fire outbreaks in the area.
Oloto, who paid an inspection visit to the Okobaba, Makoko area that was razed down by fire recently, added that the current dry season could provoke fire incidents.
Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the fire which destroyed shops and residential buildings even though no life was lost.
The lawmaker advised residents to always switch off their electrical appliances before leaving home and warned them to desist from keeping fuel or any inflammable materials in their homes.
Oloto said his visit to the area was to sympathise with the people, especially victims of the incident. “At the same time, I want to implore residents of Mainland Constituency to always put in place sprinklers, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and other fire preventing and safety gadgets.”
He assured that the state government would ensure adequate safety for its citizens and assist the victims of Okobaba by relocating them to a relief camp.
“Fire outbreaks have become a great headache for the state government. Measures are now in place by this administration to contain fire outbreaks in almost all areas of the metropolis,” he added.
He disclosed further that the state government had purchased fire-fighting equipment worth millions of naira to tackle fire disasters because the state fire service recorded more emergency calls during the harmattan period than at any other season.
“Residents of Okobaba sawmill market should see government as their partner in progress and we will do everything humanly possible to assist victims of the fire incident,” Oloto assured them.
—EROMOSELE EBHOMELE