Lagos State Government through its Emergency Management Agency, (LASEMA) has entered into a partnership with First Metrol Infrastructure Limited (FMIL) to implement safety policy along the new Red Rail Line corridor in the state, saying that the partnership was a proactive measure to prevent a recurrence of the March 9, 2023 Train and BRT collision at PWD Rail Station, Ikeja.
It would be recalled that the incident left eight people dead and 85 others critically injured.
The State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Hon. Gbenga Oyerinde, made this known on Monday, while speaking at the ongoing 2024 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, to commemorate the first year, second term in office of Governor Babajidw Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the state.
According to Oyerinde, the collaboration with FMIL became necessary in view of the need to boost safety measures and improve emergency management along the Red Rail Line for the safety of the residents and the commuting public, adding that it was a further demonstration of the state government’s genuine commitment to the set goal.
The commissioner, while regretting the incident of March 9, 2023, involving the train and BRT collision at PWD, submitted that the avoidable accident was caused by the BRT driver who attempted to beat the train traffic signal and engaged in reckless driving and eventually collided with the moving train.
He noted that the new collaboration with FMIL would help to prevent a recurrence of such disaster along the red rail corridor, urging people to be more conscious of safety in all their activities, especially along railway lines.
Oyerinde commended the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration for prioritising the safety of lives and property of Lagosians by investing highly in safety and security architecture and emergency apparatus, noting that the gesture was a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to the Government and Security Pillar of T.H.E.M.ES Plus development agenda.
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He added that the state government’s success story on safety and emergency had made the state a model for measuring excellence in emergency management across the country.
Speaking further, the commissioner disclosed that the administration in the last five years had procured a total of 62 Fire Fighting Trucks for the State Fire and Rescue Service to strengthen firefighting operations in the state, saying that three additional fire stations were about to be completed at Ijegun-Egba, Satellite Town in Amuwo Odofin LG area and Ijede, in Ijede LCDA.
The commissioner averred that LASEMA, in the last five years of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the state, had effectively handled a total of 6,887 emergencies, saying between January and April 2024 alone, the agency had responded to a total of 1,906 incidents, demonstrating its commitment to emergency management and public safety.
According to him, the ministry, as part of its mandate, has actively fostered partnerships with Federal, State, and Local Government agencies, as well as esteemed private sector entities and non-governmental organisations, to address pressing societal needs and foster inclusive development across the state.
Oyerinde equally commended the media for their objective and investigative reporting and further urged them to continually support Governor Sanwo-Olu’s reform agenda by bringing reports of the administration’s various achievements to the public domain.
