Intl Day for Disaster: LASEMA charges Lagosians on attitudinal change

October 16 17:35 2019 by The Ajasa News Print This Article

Benjamin Omoike

Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke Osanyintolu, has called on residents of the state to adopt a positive change in their attitude in relation to waste disposal, construction of buildings and maintenance of vehicles, among other sundry issues.

He made the remark on Wednesday during the occasion of the 2019 International Day for Disaster Reduction, with the theme: “Reduce Disaster Damage To Critical Infrastructure & Disruption of Basic Services”.

According to him, “It is instructive to note that the world is not a very safe place to live in these days as disaster might strike in the form of natural calamities, terrorist’s attacks and accidents at any moment.

However, at the same time, it is increasingly clear that human behaviour plays a large part in determining outcomes of disaster and that there are limits to the ability of emergency managers to control such outcomes. Hence, there is need for communities to become self-reliant and appreciate the threat they face.

“The government of governor Sanwo-Olu is doing its bit. The people must also do their own bit by playing their part. People need to shift from a negative behavioural change to a positive change. Issues such as dumping of refuse, construction of buildings; taking care of vehicles, especially articulated vehicles need to be treated with utmost importance. People need to do the needful. We’ve done advocacy and we continue to do so, but we can’t do it alone.”       

He stressed that Lagos, as part of the global village is becoming more dangerous due to rapidly growing population of more than 20 million, urban development in coastal areas, poor planning and construction in high risk region, poor enforcement of building codes, inadequate public awareness and education, limited financial and technical resources, environmental degradation and climate change. 

“It is important to note, that  the new “Sendai Seven” campaign, which centres on the seven targets of the Sendai Framework, an advocacy initiative to encourage the implementation of key frameworks and systems with the goal of saving lives, reducing disaster losses and improving management of disaster risk includes the following: Substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030 and substantially reduce the number of affected people globally by 2030.

“Also, it points to the reduction of direct disaster economic loss in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030; Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services; Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020; Substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of this Framework by 2030; and Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people by 2030,” Osanyintolu said.

He, however added that, there was need for synergy amongst all first responders in the state which include Lagos State Building Control Agency, Fire Services, RRS, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, LASAMBUS, SEHMU, LASTMA and other secondary responders.
On his part, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Dr. Wale Ahmed, in his keynote address, stated that to reduce risks, one must be able to scientifically, empirically and otherwise evaluate and assess the risks one is exposed to.

“What happens in other parts is different from what we face here. Areas such as Asia, where they’re exposed to natural disasters like Tsunamis and typhoons is something we’re not exposed to. Issues as our population in relation to land mass poses a risk to Lagos. Topography is another factor to be considered. There’s need to understand this in relation to flooding risks. We must consider high lands, low lands, swamps, etc., when building.

“Scientific projections such as climate change is yet another factor to be considered. So, to reduce these risks, we have LASEMA in place. There should be capacity building in terms of workshops, symposium and training of staff. Simulation aimed at creating disaster-like scenarios in trying to diffuse perceived situations should be carried out periodically. These planned simulations must be timed, to test response of personnel to real disasters if and when they occur,” 

The Commissioner equally stressed the need to make provision for necessary infrastructure in terms of heavy duty trucks and such equipment. He harped on the need to improve coordination with other responders. He stated that devolution is key be cause when there is decentralisation, response is swifter. Ahmed commended the LRU and Local Emergency Committee, which has been set up in this regard. Concluding, he said, of utmost importance is the management of the aftermath of emergencies.