The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts (CBD), Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, has advised against the use of firecrackers and all forms of fireworks within the business districts due to the potential hazard of the device to the people and the environment.
Oyerinde, who gave the advice in his office, said that CBD enforcement officers and other security agencies have been mandated to ensure that fireworks are not used, especially within the business districts, markets and residential areas due to the onset of harmattan season.
He urged parents and guardians to warn their wards against the use of fireworks, saying that the law banning its use is still in force and security agencies in Lagos State will arrest those selling and distributing the device in the markets.
“Some fireworks have the same sound as some of the guns criminals use and people cannot differentiate them. Also, there is a need to protect markets against fire outbreaks. Therefore, it is important to clamp down on the distribution and usage to help secure people and valuable property as the Christmas and New Year celebrations approach”, he said.
He recalled the fire outbreak caused by the storage of fireworks in Lagos Island, which led to the loss of lives and property worth millions of Naira, adding that the danger associated with the use of fireworks indiscriminately poses a great danger to society because of its capacity to cause a fire outbreak.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser has assured shoppers, residents and business owners within the Central Business Districts that strategies are in place to ensure that the yuletide season is devoid of traffic gridlock and criminal activities.
Oyerinde noted that the Lagos State Government will address the menace of commercial bus drivers, private vehicles owners and commercial motorcycle operators that have resulted in needless road traffic snarls and loss of man-hours within the business district.
He informed that adequate measures are in place to ensure that residents, business owners and shoppers go about their activities with much ease during the festive period including total enforcement of the traffic and safety laws.
“It is not enough to have safety regulations, they must be enforced and complied with to prevent avoidable loss of lives, property and injuries. As a government which cares about the safety of lives and property, nothing short of strict adherence to safety rules will be acceptable, relevant provisions of the law will be applied against erring individuals and organisations”, he said.
Urging all stakeholders within the business districts to be vigilant, especially when in large gatherings such as in markets, religious programmes and carnivals, the Special Adviser, however, assured stakeholders that the Central Business Districts remain safe and secure for people to live and transact businesses.
Oyerinde appealed to Community Development Associations, leaders of religious organisations, members of organised trade unions and associations to work with the State government and security agencies to monitor activities around them and report suspicious as well as unusual activities that may compromise the security of lives and property.
