The Oyo State House of Assembly has raised concerns over the increasing incidents of fire outbreaks across the state and has urged the Executive Arm of Government to take decisive action in improving fire safety measures.
The Motion was presented
on the floor of the House on Tuesday, February 18 at a plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi.
The motion was sponsored by Hon. S.O. Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South), Leader of the House, alongside Hons. B.O. Adeola (Iseyin/Itesiwaju), B.G. Adebayo (Ibadan North), and A.O. Omikunle (Ibadan South East I),
The motion sponsors revealed the alarming rise in fire disasters and the inadequacies of the state’s fire service response system.
The legislators noted during their deliberation that fire outbreaks has continued to destroy homes, businesses, and storage facilities, despite advancements in firefighting technology.
They pointed out that many areas in Oyo state lack proper fire safety infrastructure, including fire extinguishers, alarms, and hydrants.
They also expressed their concerns about the poor condition of the Oyo State Fire Service Agency, citing issues such as outdated firefighting trucks, inadequate funding, and a shortage of trained personnel.
The motion referenced a recent fire incident in Ora Garden, Ogbomoso, where firefighters were unable to control the flames due to delayed response time and lack of modern equipment.
The lawmakers observed that fire disasters not only result in loss of lives and property but also contribute to economic setbacks for individuals and the state.
“Businesses suffer massive financial losses, while victims struggle to rebuild their livelihoods. Additionally, the emission of toxic fumes from burning materials poses a serious environmental and public health risk, the House Majority Leader said, during his submission.
However, to address these issues, the House of Assembly resolved to among others expand Fire Stations, embark on public awareness campaigns, collaborate with the Ministry of Information and the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) to educate citizens on fire prevention strategies, safe handling of flammable materials, and the importance of fire hydrants.
Other measures the House resolved on include to improve funding for Fire service, enhance training programs such as capacity-building workshops and training sessions for firefighters on modern firefighting techniques.
The lawmakers emphasized that unless proactive steps are taken, fire outbreaks will continue to escalate, leading to avoidable loss of lives and economic hardship. They warned that inadequate fire safety measures could discourage investment in key sectors like trade and real estate.