…Assures Lagos Residents of Preparedness
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness at the grassroots with the revitalisation of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) across the state.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting held to fine-tune the operations of LEMCs, bringing together vice chairmen of local governments who double as chairmen of LEMCs.
Oke-Osanyintolu said the meeting was aimed at ensuring that local emergency managers clearly understand their roles and work collaboratively to deliver on their mandate of protecting lives and property.
“The mandate of Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is clear: safety of lives and property remains a key dividend of democracy.
“This stakeholders’ meeting is to ensure that our local emergency structures are on their toes, working hand in hand and effectively managing the golden hour — the period between life and death,” he said.
He explained that LASEMA was onboarding and retraining local emergency officials to ensure uniform standards of response across all local governments.
According to him, the agency has also intensified preparedness ahead of the festive season, assuring residents of an emergency-free Christmas and New Year.
“As part of our preparedness efforts, we will conduct simulation exercises in Lagos Island, Onigbongbo and Alimosho to demonstrate our readiness and reassure Lagos residents that the state is prepared for any eventuality,” he added.
Oke-Osanyintolu urged residents to act responsibly, stressing that emergency management is a shared responsibility.
“While we do our part, the public must also act mindfully. Emergency is everyone’s business,” he said.
Speaking at the meeting, the Vice Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, Mrs Oluwatoyin Akerele, described the engagement as timely, noting that effective emergency response begins at the grassroots.
“Nothing can be done without the grassroots. We are the local people; we know our terrain and understand our communities. That makes us the first responders whenever emergencies occur in our local governments,” she said.
Akerele, who is also the Chairman of Vice Chairmen in Lagos State said vice chairmen, in line with the law establishing LASEMA, were prepared to serve as chairmen of emergency management at the local level.
She added that they would engage their respective local government chairmen to ensure seamless coordination in protecting lives and property.
“As chief security officers at the local level, we are ready to support the state government and work in line with the vision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people,” she said.
She assured residents that local government leadership would continue to work closely with LASEMA and other stakeholders to safeguard lives, property and community security across Lagos State.
Newsmen reports that the stakeholders engagement had representatives of various emergency responders and agencies in the state