Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday organised a-day Public Hearing where stakeholders extensively expressed opinions to the House on the Bill to curb the incessant occurrence of fire outbreak in the State. The proposed bill entitled “Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services Bill 2021” seeks to establish and operate an effective and proficient fire and rescue operations to intervene and prevent further fire outbreaks. Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Hon. Kazeem Raheem stated that the hearing is part of the House tradition which aim at ensuring public participation. Stating that the bill is to allow the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to regulate and control fire disasters in the State.
Hon. Kazeem explained that the Bill intends to make available provision of rescue and first aid services; ensure the protection of lives and properties as well as other related humanitarian services within the State. “It is my hope that the proposed legislation will further strengthen the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service process and also assist to prevent any fire related emergencies within the State”. He Said. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa, represented by his Deputy, Hon. Wasi Eshilokun-Sanni mentioned in his Keynote Address that the protection and security of lives and properties of the people is a core responsibility of the government as it is “sin qua non” to the existence, sustenance and viability of the social contract that exists between the populace and its government.
Highlighting that incessant fire outbreak is one major threat to public safety and security of lives; He noted that “This year alone, the available data on lives and properties already lost to majorly avoidable fire outbreaks is totally unbearable and call for our concerted efforts.” Giving the Overview of the Bill, Majority Leader of the House, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade implore stakeholders to render opinions with no hesitation, as all are important to the final content of the Bill. He further disclosed that the Bill is to the benefits of not just Lagosians but also neighboring States that may require supports in such times of need by establishing a dedicated service that will amongst others, protect lives and properties from fire accidents, prevent fire disasters; relevant humanitarian services and; provide rescue and first aid services.
Commenting on the proposed legislation, Prince Ajose Aderemi, former Director, Fire Service Lagos State, suggested that the Bill should be adjusted such that the State Fire Services Controller is appointed by the Governor to act in that capacity and should be able to perform his duty optimally. Mr. Ajayi Michael, a retiree of the Fire Service, is of the opinion that Fire service officers should be provided with equipment’s in order to perform desirable. Contributing, Mr. Olokungboye Pascal, Former Commander Operations, Lagos Fire Service maintained that the area of paramedics should be looked at in the Bill ‘‘as a retired fire fighting Officer, when we get to fire scenes, we sometimes find hoodlums who are ready to loot’’. Adding that a paramedic team is needed on any emergency occasion. In response to the concerns raised on some clauses in the Bill, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni assured the stakeholders and the publics that the Bill will include their aggregate.
