Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has carried out a simulation of an accident scene, to quicken emergency response.

The simulation, which was conducted together with other emergency response agencies, took place on the third Mainland Bridge, opposite the Unilag Waterfront, inward Lagos Island.

The exercise involved the simulation of a scene of multiple road accidents involving a luxury bus and five other vehicles, one of which plunged into the Lagos Lagoon.

Addressing newsmen after the exercise, General Manager of the agency, Tiamiyu Adeshina said the simulation was code named “Operation Oko Jasosa”, meaning “Vehicle Plunges into the Lagoon”.

Adeshina said the simulation process was the display of synergy that existed among all those involved in responding to emergency situations.

He said the exercise was intended to strengthen synergy, foster collaboration and improve the level of preparedness of agencies charged with emergency response.

According to him, the exercise was to enhance the response capability of relevant stakeholders in the management of multiple casualty incidents.

The general manager said the synergy among the response team was perfect, as the equipment and professional skills of the rescuers had been put to test, saying throughout the period of the rescue operation, there was adequate traffic control on the bridge.

Tiamiyu reassured residents of Lagos that wherever they were and at whatever time of the day, the agency with the support of other relevant stakeholders would do all within its power to make sure that they are safe.

He said the simulation exercise that was concluded within an hour on the third Mainland Bridge was a result of meticulous paper work, planning and several roundtables that lasted for over four months.

The general manager urged residents of the state to always remember the free-toll emergency lines of 767 and 112.

“Don’t leave anything to chance, take advantage of these free lines and activate the call immediately an emergency is perceived, so that swift assistance can come and the degree of injuries or casualities will be very minimal,” he said.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Seye Oladejo said the simulation was a way of reassuring investors and entire residents of Lagos of the preparedness of the State emergency team to respond to emergency situations.

Oladejo, said the exercise should further convince the residents beyond mere promises, saying government placed high premium on protection of lives and property.

He said the exercise showed the capability of the various emergency responders in the state, saying Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had made a commitment to deploy a sizable chunk of the resources of the state towards protecting citizens and foreigners in the state.

“Disasters and accidents are things that you cannot predict.

“But for our investors, what the state government is saying is that if for whatever reason there is an accident, they should rest assured that we have skilled officials, the needed synergy and equipment to combat and surmount such situations.

Oladejo who spoke through Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Jemilade Longe, The implication of this was that people could now go to sleep without any fear, because there is a government that cares for them.

The exercise involved men of the LASEMA Response Unit, Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service, and the State Environmental Health and Monitoring Unit.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps, and Lagos State Waterway Authority, also took part in the exercise.

Others present include the Rapid Response Squard, Marine Police National Emergency Management Agency,, Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps and Federal Road Safety Corps.