Lagos State’s new fire stations in Ijegun-Egba and Ijede boost emergency response and underscore Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to public safety.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on residents to exercise caution and practise fire safety as part of efforts to curb the increasing fire incidents across the state.
His statement came as two new fire stations were inaugurated on Wednesday in Ijegun-Egba and Ijede, Ikorodu – facilities set to strengthen Lagos’s emergency response network and improve public safety.
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Represented by key officials at the inaugurations, including Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the State Government at Ijede, and Sesan Ogundeko, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, at Ijegun-Egba, the governor emphasised the critical role of the new fire stations.
He highlighted that these locations were selected due to their vulnerability to both domestic and industrial fire risks.
“These stations are more than buildings; they are lifelines for our communities,” said Sanwo-Olu.
“Their strategic placements and equipment will allow first responders to reach emergencies faster, saving lives and minimising damage.”
As part of the state’s developmental agenda, Sanwo-Olu noted Lagos’s rise in global urban rankings, placing 19th in infrastructural development worldwide.
He stressed that such achievements were the result of targeted investments in essential infrastructure and called for private sector collaboration in bolstering Lagos’s emergency response.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Gbenga Oyerinde, acknowledged the state’s growing population and the accompanying demand for advanced emergency response systems.
“Our administration has modernised emergency mechanisms,” he said. “This new station in Ijede is strategically located to serve neighbouring areas and is equipped with the latest firefighting technology and skilled personnel.”
Oyerinde further disclosed that over 2,500 fire incidents were handled in Lagos within the past year.
He assured Lagosians that the government’s commitment to building a resilient state would continue, with fire stations like these enhancing security and response times.
Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, noted that Lagos’s dense population poses unique safety challenges, necessitating robust management strategies and infrastructure to mitigate risks.
Local leaders, including Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo, Obateru of Egbin Kingdom in Ijede, praised the new station’s establishment, saying it fulfils a long-standing need in the community.
The governor closed his address by urging Lagosians to adopt preventive measures, recognising that fire safety is a shared responsibility.
The new stations, he added, should be seen as valuable community assets, providing assurance that emergency help is close at hand when needed.
