The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commiserated with the Lagos state government and traders at Dosunmu Market over the inferno that led to the collapse of six buildings and impacted 16 others.

The director-general, NEMA, Zubaida Umar, while speaking with journalists at the scene of the fire incident at Dosunmu market, on Friday in Lagos, said the government displayed exemplary leadership.

Ms Umar was in Lagos to commiserate with the state and ascertain the impact of the fire.

She commended the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos office of NEMA and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service for diligently responding to the fire incident.

The D-G said her first port of call in Lagos was the governor’s office, and she described the governor as committed and dedicated.

She noted that the pronouncement of the governor had started impacting the market as residents had started bringing down their generators from the high rise buildings.

Ms Umar said the zonal office of NEMA had a meeting with about 20 market associations about two weeks ago on the Island to work out prevention measures against incessant fire outbreaks.

According to her, LASEMA is doing its best to ensure the safety of lives and property of traders in Lagos markets.

She said emergency responders in the state would continue to sensitise Lagos residents on safety.

“NEMA is here to commiserate with the good people of Lagos state. We’re also here to work closely with Lagos on disaster management.

“Now that we have done this assessment, we’re going to sit back and see the needs and know what to do in terms of relief intervention, but most importantly, the way forward.

“I’m quite impressed with what the fire services have done in Lagos state.

“They were able to pull down some of the buildings around so that the fire does not spread all the way and they were able to contain it right behind where we are seeing the wreckage,” Umar said.

Also speaking, the permanent secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Osanyintolu, said the governor had taken clear ownership and provided political will on how to ensure safety of lives and property in the state.

Mr Osanyintolu said the governor was at the scene of the incident and had a robust conversation with stakeholders at the market.

He said the governor advised property owners not to cut corners during the construction of their structures, adding that the right thing should be done to prevent future occurrence.

The permanent secretary advised Lagos residents to remain calm as the state government was on top of the challenges confronting them.

The Dosunmu inferno, which consumed property worth billions of naira, is one too many.

Evacuation of the rubbles continues as smoke is still visibly coming out from some of the buildings that collapsed.

(NAN)