Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, on Monday said the state lost property worth N25.37 billion to fire incidents across the state between 2023 and 2024.
The commissioner gave the analysis while giving account of the ministry’s achievements in the last one year in commemoration of the one year anniversary of reelection of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
He said key statistics from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service revealed that a total of 2,537 incidents were recorded including 1,627 fire calls, 191 rescue calls, 93 salvage calls, and four explosions, alongside 607 false alarms.
‘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 property in damage,” he noted.
“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.
The commissioner further said In order to bolster infrastructure, ‘three new fire stations are nearing completion in Ijegun-Egba, Satellite Town, and Ijede, while an ultramodern workshop at the Alausa headquarters is nearly finished to cater to the agency’s fleet maintenance needs.’
He further said land spaces have been identified for the development of additional fire stations in Ibeju-Lekki, Ifako Ijaiye, and others.
According to him, other achievements include special allowances approved for firefighters, including uniform maintenance, shift allowances, hazard allowance, and provision of personal protective equipment.