LASEMA Upgrading Control Centre, Intensifies Surveillance

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has said that it will extend its surveillance to include responding to emergency incidences on Lagos Waterways alongside other relevant stakeholders.

This, the Agency said shall be Intensified with the upgrade of its Command and Control Centre (CCC) in Alausa, adding that the capacity of the state emergency responders has been improved to swiftly attend to emergency issues in the State.

Speaking at a stakeholder session, Mr. Seye Oladejo, Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, said that the successes recorded in emergency issues in recent times is largely due to the deliberate efforts of the State Government to heavily invest in the procurement of needed equipment and heavy duty vehicles as well as the synergetic collaboration between the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other relevant stakeholders.

Emphasizing the theme for the forum, “A New Dawn in Emergency/Disaster Management in Lagos State”, Oladejo described it as apt, considering the need for effective collaboration and sharing of information with all relevant stakeholders who are pivotal in the management of emergency/disaster in Lagos State.

The Commissioner maintained that the unique features of Lagos State makes its vulnerable to emergency incidences, “these unique features of the State include localization and concentration of industries (about 70-80 percent of the Nation’s industries concerns), presence of Airports (International and Local), Sea Ports and high vehicular density. These unique features have more often than not resulted in ubiquitous fuel tanker/articulated trucks accidents and myriads of incidents often impacting on the ecological dynamics of the State,” he added.

He charged the officers on preparedness, reminding them that the protection of lives and property should be seen as a collective responsibility and as a twenty-four-hour business since disaster do not give warning, hence the need to be prepared and ready to move to action, every day, every hour every second and every moment.

Also, speaking at the event, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, general manager of LASEMA, while emphasizing on the increased surveillance on Lagos waterways by the Agency, added that His Excellency Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the establishment of Aquatic Unit for the Agency, specifically for rescue mission on the State waterways to complement the efforts of existing responders on Lagos lagoon.

“Presently we have Lagos Ferry Service, Lagos Waterways Management Agency, the Marine Police, and several others. All of these operatives are always on the waterways daily patrolling the waterways but very soon, what you will see is LASEMA branded boat, also joining force with those who are on the waterways; this will now improve the capacity to respond to any emergency on the waterways.

He added that the Command and Control Centre, Alausa, where all emergency calls are activated to relevant responders is now being upgraded to interface with those on the field of operation and the control room personnel for supports and necessary deployment.

The LASEMA General Manager maintained that the agency does not, and cannot arrogate to itself the power to exclusive knowledge and capacity of responding to all emergencies without the active support of relevant stakeholders, saying that the agency with the support of the relevant stakeholders has performed creditably well since its establishment, through effective coordination and collaboration.

“Let me therefore use this opportunity to commend and thank all our stakeholders such as the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Lagos State Fire, Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Task Force, State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) and several others. It is now more than ever before, the relationship between LASEMA and all its stakeholders is better strengthened and solidified for the purpose of making the state a safe haven," he reiterated.

While saying that emergencies and disasters by nature are unforeseen, devastating and sudden, Tiamiyu explained that the stakeholder’s forum is expected to provide an urgent need required to achieving a sustainable disaster risk reductions especially in Lagos State.

“This forum will also assist in appraising our performances so far, brainstorm on ways to overcome existing challenges, strengthen our level of preparedness for effective response capability amongst the stakeholders and to generally build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels,” the General Manager stated.

A statement by Adebayo Kehinde, PAO, LASEMA, shows stakeholders present at the meeting include; Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Fire Service, State Environmental Monitoring Unit, Ministry of Environment, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps.

Other were National Emergency Management Agency, Nigerian Police, Task Force, Anti Bomb Squad, Rep. of Commander 9th Brigade Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, Clergy men, Muslim Community, Red Cross, Boys Scout, and Emergency Management Volunteer (EMV) amongst other.

Guests at LASEMA recent stakeholders Forum held in Lagos on Tuesday