By Hauwa Ali
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other stakeholders have converged to unify efforts in the plan for disaster response activities in the state.
This was at LASEMA stakeholders Meeting themed: “Global Emerging Issues In Emergency Management And Preparedness” on Wednesday, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa-Secretariat.
The First Session of the event was on ROLE OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IN BUILDING and DANGERS OF BUILDING COLLAPSE; anchored by the Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties & Intergovernmental Relations, Dr. Animashaun.
The discussant were the General Manager, Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory, Olufunsho Elulade and the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki.
The second Session was on THE CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE and FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT; anchored by the Representative of the Director General, Lagos Safety Commission, Mr Adeyinka Adeniyi, Director, Public Safety and Wellbeing; with the Representative of the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, Mrs Bisi Shonibare, Director, Noise Emission Control and the Director, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Ajadi G.A as discussants.
The meeting was also for relevant stakeholders to have in-depth review of individual and collective roles in disaster prevention, preparedness, litigation, response and recovery in the state.
“ We as a state need to always be in a state of preparedness and that preparedness must be adequate. Emergency will come whether we like it or not and when it comes, its doesn’t give any notice.” said Tayo Bambose-Martins – Lagos commissioner for special duties.
“This is deep calling to all the key stakeholders for us to share information, fine tune our operations and be aware of our roles and responsibilities.” Said FEMI Oke, permanent secretary, LASEMA.
The need for the wake up call for alertness and preparedness is necessary given the increase of building collapse and flood issues in the state.
In 2022 alone, there have been four building collapses, and this is barely a few months after the Ikoyi building collapse which happened in November.
Building collapses have been more intense in Lagos Island and Ebute-Metta areas of the state owing to high numbers of old and dilapidated buildings in these regions.
