Traders in Lagos have called on the state government to prioritise fire prevention in markets through improved electrical installations, firefighting facilities and compulsory insurance.
The President of the Ndigbo Amaka Traders Association, Chinedu Ukatu, made the appeal on Monday during the presentation of a documentary titled Burning Point: Inside Lagos Fire.
Ukatu said the government needed to move beyond visiting markets after fire incidents and invest in measures to prevent future occurrences. He also called for collaboration between the Lagos State Government, the Ministry of Power and traders’ associations to replace deteriorating electrical wiring in major markets.
He noted that traders might struggle to finance the necessary electrical improvements independently but could help identify markets requiring urgent attention.
The traders’ association president also appealed for financial assistance for traders rebuilding and modernising their shops, citing reconstruction efforts at Alaba and other markets. He further proposed compulsory insurance for markets to help address the financial consequences of fire incidents.
Ukatu questioned whether an earlier pledge to deploy firefighting trucks to markets had been fulfilled. He also alleged that some traders were being asked to pay money before retrieving goods from their shops after incidents.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, outlined the government’s fire prevention measures, including expanded fire station coverage, operational equipment, personnel training and supporting infrastructure.
Adeseye said the government had procured 62 vehicles across different operational categories, including fire engines, water tankers, rapid intervention vehicles and hydraulic ladder platforms.
She stressed that the effectiveness of the equipment depended on regular maintenance, proper deployment, adequate training and effective coordination.
