Antonia Beri, the lead Consultant and Principal Founder of Safety Consultants and Solutions Providers (SCSP), has expressed worried that huge lives and economic losses to fire disaster was due to safety negligence and human complacency.
She expressed this worry while speaking at the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference, stating that legislations are meant to be enforced.
She decried weak enforcement of fire safety regulations, stating that it is the cause for recurring fire incidents in the country, and Lagos State in recent times.
Beri maintained that collaboration amongst stakeholders was key to enhance compliance to various safety regulations both at home and work place.
According to her ,the over N3 trillion national loss to fire between 2015 and 2022 was needless and avoidable with regular inspections and strict enforcement of safety standards.
Beri, speaking on the theme, “Stakeholders Collaboration: A Panacea to Incessant Fire Disasters in Lagos” pointed out that Lagos with a high level sophistication, characterised by rapid development and dense population pose unique fire safety challenges.
She explained that Lagos preparations against fire disasters were echoed in the Lagos State Fire Service Law that were not followed through.
“This law, including Building Codes and Public Safety Laws mandate the use of fire-resistant materials, the inclusion of fire escapes in building designs, and the installation of fire detection and suppression systems”, she stated.
Beri maintained that over N25 million loss to fire in Lagos between May 2023 and 2024, with Balogun market tragedy being the most recent exposed a wide enforcement gap amid rich legislation, calling for concern.
In enabling and reinforcing culture of compliance, Beri suggested active community engagement as well as training and empowering fire service personnel to conduct thorough inspections and enforce penalties without fear or favor.
“It is also imperative that the laws are continuously reviewed and updated to keep pace with technological advancements and urban expansion.
“At SCSP, we partner with regulatory authorities, public and private firms committed to best practices in life and safety risk management.
“We are committed to bridging knowledge and skill gaps through training in corporate governance, consultancy, standardization, advocacy, and proffering of targeted solutions all geared towards public and private sector initiatives on Life, Fire and Safety Risk Management,” she added.