The Lagos Assembly calls for urgent Lagos fire safety measures, stricter laws, improved emergency response, and fully equipped fire stations to protect lives.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the government to prioritize Lagos fire safety, warning that recurring disasters — from fire outbreaks to building collapses — threaten lives and property across the state.
During plenary, lawmakers noted that many tragedies could have been prevented if safety rules were followed.
They urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to convene a meeting of all relevant agencies, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos Safety Commission, LASAMBUS, and the State Command and Control Center, to develop a lasting strategy for emergency management.
Lawmakers stressed that fire and rescue divisions in Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe — known as IBILE — must operate at full strength.
These stations, they argued, should be well-equipped with modern gear, trained personnel, and rapid-response systems.
They also resolved that fire hydrants should become compulsory in all commercial buildings. Such facilities, they said, would cut response times and reduce the scale of fire damage.
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa emphasized that prevention matters as much as response.
He tasked the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service with conducting regular fire risk assessments in markets, plazas, and high-rise structures. According to him, proactive checks are critical to improving Lagos fire safety.
Rauf Age-Suleimon, who represents Amuwo-Odofin Constituency II, applauded the government’s progress, including upgrading firefighting equipment and building more fire stations.
These steps, he said, have improved confidence in the system and reduced delays in responding to emergencies.
He also noted that several laws — including the 2008 Emergency Management Agency Law, the 2011 Safety Commission Law, and the 2014 Command and Control Law — were enacted to coordinate rescue operations and give residents quicker access to emergency services.
Yet, Age-Suleimon expressed concern over the growing trend of converting residential and public spaces into makeshift markets.
He warned that these illegal conversions not only endanger occupants but also block access routes for emergency responders.
Other lawmakers lamented that disregard for building codes, the absence of safety measures in many high-rise structures, and the use of substandard materials have fueled repeated disasters. Poor regulatory oversight, they argued, has worsened the problem.
“These lapses put millions of lives at risk daily,” one member said.
“Until enforcement becomes strict, we will keep witnessing the same avoidable tragedies.”
Recent incidents such as the fires at Atunan Toa and Ema Plaza were cited as painful reminders. Both fires claimed lives, destroyed businesses, and disrupted economic activities.
Lawmakers insisted these tragedies underscore the urgent need for stricter fire outbreak prevention measures.
The motion enjoyed unanimous support. Members agreed that effective emergency response in Lagos requires tougher enforcement of safety laws, regular inspection of high-risk buildings, and harsh penalties for violators.
Businesses and developers who cut corners, they warned, must be held accountable. Otherwise, both lives and investments will remain exposed to needless danger.
Speaker Obasa concluded the debate by declaring that fires and building collapses are not accidents but failures of enforcement and planning.
He called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and residents to achieve safer communities.
The Assembly’s push reflects broader concerns about building safety in Lagos, where congested markets, aging infrastructure, and poor planning make emergency response more difficult.
Narrow streets often block fire trucks, while outdated buildings collapse under pressure.
For residents who have lost loved ones, shops, and livelihoods to recent disasters, the Assembly’s stance offers a glimmer of hope.
They expect Governor Sanwo-Olu and relevant agencies to act swiftly on these recommendations.
Ultimately, lawmakers agreed that Lagos fire safety is not just a government duty but a shared responsibility.
Achieving it will require political will, strict enforcement, investment in modern equipment, and public cooperation. Without these, Lagos risks repeating the same painful cycle of preventable tragedies.
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