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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Sunday visited and commiserated with victims of the Iwaya Market fire disaster, Abete in Ebute Metta, saying those who have lost their homes in the inferno would be moved to the Resettlement Centre in Agbowa while Government seeks ways to assist victims get back on their feet.
Governor Fashola, who addressed members of the Iwaya Community, most of whom lost their houses and properties to the inferno, also advised market and transport associations in the State to set up committees to ensure that everything that could cause fire outbreak was removed after each day’s business.
The Governor also advised Lagosians to always be safety conscious by ensuring that they remove everything that could cause fire outbreak in their homes, including switching off electrical appliances, before leaving for work or business every day.
While noting that Government has capacity to respond to emergencies, Governor Fashola, however, reiterated that prevention of fire incidents in the State is the responsibility of every Lagosian.
“This is the Dry Season and with the harmattan haze, any small fire quickly gets out of hand. So all of us must be interested in our safety; we must do everything possible to avoid fires”, the Governor said.
“In market places I am appealing that we should set up committees from today so that at the end of every market day, that Committee must go round the market to ensure that there is nothing that is left switched on that can cause a fire. In motor parks, in communities, in homes and offices the same thing should apply. Everybody must take responsibility”, he advised.
Noting that most of the fire incidents at homes and places of business are caused by power surges, Governor Fashola also advised all residents, “Before you leave home in the morning or the office at night, go round and make sure that everything that could cause a fire is switched off”.
“Anything that you don’t need put it off. It is better that the cold water is probably not there in your refrigerator when you return than that your building has disappeared. Let’s try to be safe instead of being sorry. Let us act to prevent fires and all will be well”, the Governor said.
Commiserating with the victims, Governor Fashola, who thanked God that no life was lost in the incident, noted that although properties could be replaced, life could not be replaced adding that Government would do everything within its resources to help them get back on their feet.
The Governor said as a first step towards getting the victims back on their feet, those of them who have lost their shelters would be moved temporarily to the Resettlement Centre in Agbowa where the State Government has made arrangement for them to sleep until such a time as it could help them to get back on their feet.
“This is part of what your Government has done with your taxes”, the Governor said adding that during the period of transition in the camp the victims would be fed breakfast, lunch and dinner at the expense of the State while those who need medical support would get it from the doctors there.
According to him, Government has also built teaching facilities there so that children who are displaced from school would also get lessons there as Government has seconded teachers there to help such children get lessons while it is managing the period of transition.
Giving reason why the victims must go to the Centre, Governor Fashola posited that even if his administration wanted to rebuild the place overnight, it would not be possible adding, “So putting you in that camp will help us get your accurate data, what your problems are and how we can help to get you back on your feet”.
Reiterating his promise of State Government’s assistance within its resources to get the victims back on their feet, the Governor added, however, that the incident had once more brought to the fore the importance of getting Government approvals before building anything in the State.
“As a government, we will do all we can to get you back to your feet. But let me say that you yourselves must be careful the way you build; the way you organize ourselves in clusters. This is why we always advise that you come and take government approvals before you build anything, whether it is a temporary or a permanent structure”, he said.
According to the Governor, “Those approvals will help you set out the place properly, observe minimum safety rules, electrical connections, disposal of your waste water; all of these can become hazardous to your health if you do not do the right things in the way that you have built, in the way that you gather yourselves”.
Earlier, a community leader in the area, Chief Oladiji Oluwo commended the State Government for the prompt response of the Government team, including the State Fire Service and LASEMA as well as the movement of the victims who were rendered homeless by the inferno to the Agbowa Resettlement Camp.
He told the Governor, “We thank you and all the top government officials for coming to sympathize with us over the fire disaster. Our people have been enlightened on the relief centre at Agbowa and we thank the Government immensely for the promise to help us”.
Also with the Governor at the fire disaster site were the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed, General Manager of the State’s Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Executive Secretary, Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mrs. Bola Olumegbon, Community leaders and residents of the community among others.
