By Peace Achi, JKNewsMedia Intern
THE LAGOS State Government has reported marked improvements in fire safety for 2024, rescuing 450 lives and preserving properties valued at N117.12 billion, following a 20 per cent reduction in fire-related incidents across the state.
Details were disclosed at the second Lagos International Fire Safety Conference held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.
The two-day event, themed Leveraging Technology and Community Engagement to Prevent Fire, was convened by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations to highlight technological and community-based approaches to fire prevention.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu attributed the positive results to sustained investment in infrastructure, modern firefighting equipment, and public advocacy.
He noted that emergency calls dropped from over 2,500 in 2023 to significantly fewer in 2024, adding that residents had become more aware of fire risks due to government-led education and engagement efforts.
The 2024 Fire Safety Report, presented by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margret Adeseye, recorded 1,952 total emergency calls, of which 1,607 were fire-related – reflecting a notable decline from the previous year.
The report also confirmed 91 fire-related fatalities and unrecoverable property losses estimated at N19.5billion during the period under review.
Sanwo-Olu outlined measures contributing to the improved outcomes, including the construction of 25 new fire stations in the last six years, with four more nearing completion.
Over 60 standard fire trucks and firefighting kits have been procured within the past two years.
The Governor stated that while the current average emergency response time stands at 15 minutes, efforts are underway to reduce it to between five and seven minutes, which he described as the benchmark for megacities.
Among new deployments is the use of drones for aerial surveillance and rapid fire source detection in high-rise buildings, as well as an upgrade to the state’s Command and Control Centre to enhance real-time response and coordination.
Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Gbenga Oyerinde, stressed that fire safety was a shared responsibility requiring cooperation between government, private stakeholders, and the public.
The Fire and Rescue Service carried out inspections on 7,870 facilities in 2024, issuing 7,039 fire safety certificates to schools, hospitals, restaurants, and fuel stations. Adeseye reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to improving fire risk assessment and operational capacity.
In a related development, the Lagos State Government has introduced the pilot phase of a digital house numbering and addressing scheme, known as the Identifier Project, aimed at modernising urban infrastructure and service delivery.
The initiative, which begins in Ikeja next week, was announced by Sanwo-Olu during the Nigeria Land Titling, Registration, and Documentation Programme in Victoria Island.
The project will assign a unique QR-coded address plate to every building, with colour codes for each local government area. The system is designed to enhance property identification, navigation, emergency response, and urban planning.
Officials explained that the backend database linked to each QR code will store property title details, utility billing information, and regulatory approvals for authenticated, real-time access by both residents and government agencies.
Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, said the initiative will strengthen revenue collection, security, and urban management.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa, commended Lagos for leading in land digitisation, describing the Identifier Project as a model for other states.
He noted that 97 per cent of land in Nigeria remains untitled, limiting its potential as an economic asset, and emphasised that federal-state collaboration will be key in transforming land administration nationwide.
The Identifier Project is positioned to redefine property management in Lagos, promoting transparency, security of ownership, and economic growth through technological integration.
