Lagos inaugurates Market Safety Marshals to curb fire disasters
Lanre Mojola, DG, Lagos Safety Commission
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government has launched a team of Safety and Emergency Marshals to prevent fire outbreaks and other hazards in markets across the state.
The government emphasised the need for collective efforts to achieve zero fire incidents.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at Obanikoro Market, Lagos Island, the Director of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, highlighted the importance of training market representatives in emergency preparedness to reduce the risk of disasters.
Mojola explained that past fire incidents had resulted in significant financial losses for the state, market traders, and insurers, necessitating the recalibration of safety measures.
“Safety is a collective responsibility,” he said. “We have trained 50 market men and women who will serve as the first set of market safety fire wardens. They have been equipped with knowledge on fire prevention, hazard identification, and response strategies.”
The training covered various fire safety issues, including the dangers of leaving electrical sockets on after work, improper placement of generators, and the lack of fire extinguishers.
Mojola stressed that beyond fire risks, other hazards such as exposed wires and unsafe installations were addressed to promote a holistic approach to market safety.
He noted that the delay in implementing the safety programme for Lagos Island markets was intentional to ensure a robust model involving key stakeholders, such as community leaders, market heads, and local associations.
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“We have applied a top-down and bottom-up approach, empowering locals as whistle-blowers to identify and report infractions,” Mojola added.
The Technical Adviser to the Lagos State Safety Commission, Seun Awojobi, underscored the vital role markets play in Lagos’ economic development.
Represented by Mrs Omowunmi Ibraheem, he assured that the safety initiative would foster a culture of responsibility and significantly reduce accidents.
Facilitator, Adeyinka Adebiyi provided participants with detailed safety principles, urging them to ensure compliance with safety standards, such as switching off electrical sockets and adhering to fire prevention guidelines.
He described the Safety Marshals as a preventive mechanism to protect lives and properties while serving as the government’s representatives in the markets.
The initiative received commendation from the Chairman of the Community Development Association, Mr Sunday Ogunlana, and the leader of Obanikoro Market, Mr Lateef Iyaniwura, who applauded the government’s commitment to minimising fire incidents in markets.
