•Fashola promises help as he visits scene
Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola visited yesterday the Iwaya, Yaba Mainland Market fire scene, saying those displaced would be moved to the Resettlement Centre in Agbowa.
He said the government would seek ways of assisting the victims.
Fashola, who addressed members of the Iwaya Community, most of whom lost properties to the fire, advised market and transport associations to set up committees to ensure that inflammable items were removed after each day’s business.
The governor implored Lagosians to be safety conscious by switching off electrical appliances before leaving their homes daily.
While noting that government has the capacity to respond to emergencies, Fashola said fire prevention is the responsibility of all.
“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”, he 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 said.
Noting that most of the fires at homes and business places were caused by power surges, Fashola 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 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”.
Fashola, who thanked God that no life was lost in the incident, said although properties could be replaced, life could not, adding that government would help them get back on their feet.
As a first step towards helping the victims, he said, those who lost their houses would be moved temporarily to the resettlement centre.
“This is part of what your government has done with your taxes”, he said, adding that during their story in the camp, the victims would be fed at the state’s expense; those who need medical support would get it from the doctors there.
According to him, government has also built teaching facilities there for displaced pupil’s who would be taught by teachers seconded to help them.
On why the victims are being relocated, Fashola said even if his administration wants 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”.
The victims back on their feet, the governor said the fire once more brought to the fore the importance of getting government approvals before erecting a building.
Fashola said: “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 organise yourselves 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.
“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, Chief Oladiji Oluwo, hailed the government for the prompt response of its agencies, suc as State Fire Service and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the movement of victims to the resettlement camp.
He told the governor: “We thank you and all the top government officials for coming to sympathise with us over the fire. Our people have been enlightened on the relief centre at Agbowa and we thank the government immensely for the promise to help us”.
With the governor on the scene were the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed, LASEMA General Manager Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, Executive Secretary, Yaba Local Council Development Area LCDA, Mrs. Bola Olumegbon, community leaders and residents.
