The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has assured residents of Alimosho Local Government Area of adequate preparedness to respond swiftly to emergencies during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The assurance was given on Thursday in Lagos by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke – Osanyintolu, during a stakeholders’ engagement on the revitalisation of Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMCs) in the LGA.
Oke – Osanyintolu said the agency, in line with directives of the Chief Incident Commander of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, had placed all first responders on red alert to ensure the protection of lives and property throughout the festive period.
“We want to assure the good people of Lagos State, particularly residents of Alimosho, that we are fully prepared to ensure the safety of lives and property during this season.
“Emergency management is everybody’s business, and we encourage residents to play their part,” he said.
He described the Alimosho Local Government Emergency Management Committee as vibrant, effective and efficient, noting that grassroots emergency response remained a critical pillar of the state’s disaster management framework.
“The local emergency management committee in Alimosho is very active and responsive. It complements our efforts at the state level and ensures rapid first response at the community level,” he said.
The permanent secretary urged residents to promptly report emergencies through the toll-free numbers 112 or 767, adding that response teams were positioned to respond within the golden hour.
“Once a call is received, our teams will swing into action immediately,” he added.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Mr Akinpelu Johnson, assured residents that the council was working closely with LASEMA to manage emergencies at the grassroots.
Johnson said emergencies in the council area were first handled by the Local Government Emergency Management Committee, with support from the state agency when situations exceeded local capacity.
“Any crisis will first be managed by our local emergency management committee.
” Where the situation is beyond our capacity, we immediately call on LASEMA for support,” he said.
The council chairman advised residents to celebrate the festive season in moderation, warning against activities that could compromise public safety.
“Residents should celebrate responsibly. They should avoid blowing knockouts and refrain from street carnivals.
“The state government has laws restricting street carnivals. Anyone who intends to organise a carnival should seek approval from the Ministry of Tourism,” he said.
He stressed that Alimosho would not permit street carnivals, urging residents to hold end-of-year celebrations peacefully and decently.
