Lagos State Government has explained the rationale behind the decision to move the various Departments and Agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of managing safety and emergency were to Oshodi Safety Arena.

The government said it would improve co-ordination, synergy and reduce response time to safety and emergency issues across the State.

Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Oluseye Oladejo who spoke during the Ministerial Press Briefing in commemoration of the 2nd Year in Office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Oladejo while giving account of the Ministry’s activities in the last one year, said that Government has upgraded the technology at the Command and Control Center in other to facilitate effective response to emergencies in the State.

According to him, the center has help to facilitate prompt response to distress calls around the State, saying government has repositioned Lagos State Response Unit to coordinate, receive and respond to distress calls across the State.

Oladejo who expressed Government’s determination to improve emergency management and the response time of emergency responders across the State said Government has established a new dispatch center at Lekki for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.

According to him, “the facility will include a Jetty for water rescue activities in order to facilitate quick response to emergency around Lekki axis and its waterways for its proximity to riverine areas of the State”.

He explained that the facility, which would be commissioned in the next few weeks will help to improve the response time around Lekki/Epe and its environs when operational.

While commiserating with residents who might have lost valuables and loved ones to any of the disasters, the Commissioner, therefore, acknowledged the tremendous supports of Ambode, who has continued to motivate men and women who have been on alert day and night responding promptly to these emergencies.

Speaking further the Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the present administration to continue to prevent and manage fire outbreaks across the State.

To further boost swift and effective response to fire outbreaks the Commissioner said Governor Ambode has graciously approved the creation of 4 four new fire stations in the State.

The Commissioner said government had scale up the activities in Monitoring and Surveillance in the State and also intensified safety advocacy campaign in order to inform, educate and enlighten the public on the prevention and management of fire outbreaks.

The Commissioner said as part of efforts to ensure a well secured and business friendly Lagos, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) was inaugurated by the Governor Ambode as a panacea for efficient and effective policing of our communities and the pathway to economic prosperity, social stability and improved quality of life of people in the State

Oladejo also describe the establishment of the Neighborhood Safety Agency as a new innovation that is envisioned to become a model community safety corps to the admiration of Lagosians and the nation at large.

He said further that the establishment of the agency will go a long in complementing the efforts of the existing security agencies in the State and also guarantee Return on Investment for business owners in Lagos.

While restating Governments commitment to providing support for the various law enforcement agencies already existing in the State the Commissioner solicited the cooperation of members of the public to join hands with the newly established Neighbourhood Safety Corps who are also members of the community working for a safer Lagos.

He said the agency has commenced the recruitment of 5,700 Corps members, adding that Government has provided equipment and gadgets such as vehicles equipped with necessary communication gadgets, bicycles,Helmets, Plastic Handcuffs, Rubber Baton, Flashlights, Whistle, Metal Handcuffs and Tasers and other operational equipment for the Corps

Oladejo therefore called on Stakeholders to join hands with Government in a bid to reduce emergency response time while also he urging Lagosians to explore the limitless opportunities available on the platform of the State Command and Control Center and continue to call the emergency toll free lines767 and 112 for distress calls.