Apart from Lagos, no government in Nigeria is ‘serious about fire safety’

Jumade Adejola, chief executive officer of Surveillant Fire Limited, a fire and security systems company, says apart from Lagos, no government in Nigeria takes fire safety serious.

Adejola said this in a media chat with journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said the federal and state governments do not have functioning fire safety equipment in case of emergency outbreaks.

The security expert also lamented the lack of safety equipment in airports across the country.

He said there ought to be a legislation that enforces safety measures in public buildings.

“No government in Nigeria takes fire safety seriously. The only government that takes safety serious is Lagos state. I can say it anywhere. They just bought 38 trucks. They are even trying to buy more now,” he said.

“I think the government needs to embark on advocacy to sensitize the masses on fire safety. Corporate organisations are aware about safety. If people are not safe at home, they can’t be safe at work place. Safety begins at home. The awareness has to continue.”

While speaking on the frequent occurrences of fire outbreaks at manufacturing companies, Adejola said most of the incidents are avoidable.

“It is very unfortunate that manufacturing industries do not take safety precautions until they are burnt. Most of the manufacturing industries that we have in this country are being run by Indians, Lebanese and Chinese,” he said.

“Our regulatory bodies don’t visit all these factories, if not they will have sanctioned them to do what is proper because they are endangering the lives of their employees. When there is fire and there are no protection equipment, some of them die.

“What causes fire in some of those manufacturing companies are lack of equipment and lack of maintenance. Then, there is no proper supervision by the regulatory bodies to ensure that they put in place safety measures.”