The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has
revealed that the state lost an estimated ?19.52 billion to fire incidents in
2024, warning that the persistent outbreaks pose a serious threat to lives,
property, and economic stability.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Lagos State International
Fire Safety Conference 2.0 in Victoria Island, themed “Leveraging Technology
and Community Engagement to Prevent Fire”, Sanwo-Olu said the government
was ramping up efforts to prevent future disasters.
The conference, organised by the Lagos State Fire and
Rescue Service (LSFRS), brought together stakeholders to explore strategies for
enhancing fire prevention and improving emergency response.
Innovations to Curb Fire Outbreaks
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the state was adopting measures such as the Safety
on the Move initiative to tackle frequent tanker fires, alongside intensive
public sensitisation campaigns across markets, schools, factories, and
residential areas.
“Our goal is to ensure every Lagos resident knows how
to spot potential fire hazards, prevent fires, stay safe, and help others,” he
said, urging residents to remain vigilant to early warning signs.
The governor commended LSFRS for responding to over
2,500 distress calls in 2023 and called for strengthening the Incident Command
System, improving emergency response times, and investing in modern
firefighting technologies.
He also emphasised the importance of prioritising fire
detection, protection, and suppression systems alongside conventional equipment
to control outbreaks at their earliest stage.
Commissioner, Fire Service Director Share
Statistics
Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Olugbenga
Oyerinde, reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing fire disasters,
noting the need to “rejig strategies” in light of recurring incidents.
“Protecting our communities from fire outbreaks is a
collective responsibility that we are all dedicated to,” he said.
Director of the LSFRS, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, revealed
that in 2024, property worth ?117.12 billion was saved from fire damage, while
the estimated loss stood at ?19.52 billion.
She disclosed that 450 victims were rescued alive, 91
lives were lost, and 7,039 compliance certificates were issued. Out of 7,870
companies inspected, 831 failed to comply with the state’s fire safety code.
“In 2023, 2,573 fire incidents were recorded, but in
2024 we saw a significant drop to 1,952. Fire safety is not just about
equipment; it’s about protecting lives and futures,” Adeseye stressed.
Economic Context
The figures come as Lagos continues to consolidate its position as one of
Africa’s economic powerhouses. In January 2025, the state’s GDP reached $259
billion (PPP), making it the second-largest economy on the continent after
Cairo, Egypt, according to the Lagos Economic Development Update (LEDU) 2025.
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