The Lagos State Government, through its Safety Commission and Fire and Rescue Service, has launched a vibrant public awareness campaign to tackle fire hazards in markets across the state.
This timely initiative, unveiled at Jankara Market on Lagos Island, aims to shield residents and traders from the heightened fire risks associated with the harmattan season and the festive period.
Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, set the tone during the flag-off, urging traders to embrace safety consciousness and vigilance in their daily activities.
Addressing the crowd, Mojola emphasised, “The harmattan season is here, bringing with it an increased risk of fire due to dry conditions. Carelessness and human error remain the leading causes of fire outbreaks, and we must take proactive measures to prevent disasters.”
The campaign team is tackling key risk factors head-on, with a clear message to traders: avoid hazardous practices like selling petrol, using cooking stoves, and smoking within market premises.
Mojola stressed, “We are working closely with market leaders to eliminate inflammable items and training fire safety marshals on emergency response, fire extinguisher use, and fire detection systems. The goal is to empower traders to act swiftly before minor incidents escalate.”
Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, reiterated the state’s resolve to achieve a fire-free Lagos. She highlighted the alarming history of market fires caused by carelessness, noting that while compliance has improved—dropping fire incidents in markets to 0.1%—the ultimate target is zero.
Adeseye explained, “In April, a tragic fire gutted over 20 buildings due to negligence. Since then, our efforts have borne fruit, but we need traders to fully comply with safety rules. Sleeping in markets, using camp gas for cooking, and overloading sockets must stop. Let’s ensure fire safety awareness is a standing agenda in market meetings.”
The initiative received strong backing from market leaders, including Mr. Abdul Rahman Yusuf, Chairman of the Wristwatch Sellers Association, Jankara Market.
“We deeply appreciate the state government for bringing this life-saving advocacy to us. Traders will continue to support all preventive measures and adhere to safety guidelines,” he said.
Following Jankara Market, the advocacy team is set to visit other major markets, including Balogun, Dosunmu Ereko, Tejuosho, and Alaba International, ensuring that fire safety enlightenment reaches every corner of Lagos.
With a focus on proactive education, hands-on training, and community engagement, Lagos is blazing a trail toward a safer and more fire-resilient future for its bustling markets.
