Against the background of traffic challenges being experienced in Lagos and their implications on safety and emergency, Lagos State is set to commence massive evacuation of abandoned vehicles from roads within and around the metropolis.
This comes as the state disclosed on Monday that properties worth N76.9 billion were salvaged from various fire incidents in the last one year while others estimated at 12.8 billion were, however, lost to the fire incidents.
The evacuation of the abandoned vehicles, according Oluseye Oladejo, the state commissioner for special duties and inter-governmental relations, will complement emergency recovery efforts and prevent mishaps on streets and major highways across the state.
Oladejo spoke with journalists at a media briefing preparatory to the 3rd anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led government. He said the move would further address the traffic menace and security related challenges on the roads.
Oladejo disclosed that the state government has approved the creation of Vehicle Recovery Unit solely charged with the responsibility of removing abandoned and accident vehicles on the roads, adding that plans were being perfected for the unit to take off.
“I am happy to inform you that we have gotten approval from the governor, to set up a towing and recovery unit in my ministry to complement the emergency rescue efforts of the state.
“This speaks largely to efforts in terms of prevention to mop up abandoned vehicles in all nooks and crannies in the State and also to make sure that broken down vehicles are promptly removed to prevent mishaps on the highways. For the smooth take off of the Unit, the Governor also directed that equipment and towing trucks of various capacities be procured to be able to remove vehicles of whatever make and size,” he said.
He further explained that as part of efforts to improve the functionality of Fire Service Department and to efficiently manage disasters, the governor has also approved the recruitment of additional 150 fire fighters who would join the newly inducted 100, while 70 ad-hoc staff of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) had already been absorbed into the State civil service.
“We have also scaled up the functionality of the fire fighters with the induction of a new set of 100 operatives. These fire fighters have just completed their mandatory training and have been inducted into the fire service to join the existing fire fighters. We have also recently recruited additional 150 fire officers who are currently undergoing training and will be inducted into the fire service in the next few months, while properties worth N76.9billion were salvaged through the efforts of the state Fire Service with the last one year.
“Within the period under review, the state government rehabilitated and upgraded 225 old Fire Hydrants that were initially below ground level in Lagos metropolis and Installed 50 new additional ones to link the Mini/Micro Water Works in the State. The hydrants have been providing easy access to copious Water supply for firemen during fire fighting and rescue operations,” he said.
JOSHUA BASSEY
