By citybusinessnews@yahoo.com —
As part of measures to enhance safety in Lagos State, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
Signing the MoU on Friday at the head office of LASEMA in Lagos, NSIB Director General, Akin Olateru urged other states in the country to take advantage of the initiative.
He said “We are not the first responders. It is very important to sign (MoU) with the first responders so that they understand our role, how we do things. it is all about proper coordination “
Olateru ruled out possibilities of conflict and overlap, adding that the MoU would ensure capacity building, training and exchange of ideas.
The DG also disclosed NSIB plans to train LASEMA staff in partnership with Southern California Safety Institute.
Olateru who spoke on sundry safety procedures emphasised on the need to secure crash sites in collaboration with the states and police, ‘Once Lagos is involved, other states will key in. Lagos is the size of some Countries in Europe “.
The NSIB Director General who said the idea for the partnership was proposed in March this year following the bus and train accident in Ikeja commended LASEMA for its swift response to safety and security in Lagos.
He used the opportunity to call on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Police to partner with the agency.
On his part, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said the partnership with NSIB was to further assure Lagosians of the State Government’s commitment to their total safety and protection.
He explained that the state government had invested in road and waterways accident and emergency management, adding that the MoU would take care of the air space in Lagos and further enhance the professional conduct of LASEMA’s staff at emergency sites.
He said: “As far as emergency is concerned, we are fully equipped and ready. I can confidently assure Lagosians that we have the capacity to manage the golden hour and with this MoU, the professional capability of LASEMA operation staff will be enhanced. They will know how to protect themselves at accident scenes, because emergency management is not just about search and rescue alone, but also about the protection of the first responders.”
