The Guardian (Nigeria)

Lagos Threatens To Punish Residents Making False Emergency Calls

- By Gbenga Salau

LAGOS State Government yesterday said that it would punish any residents who make false calls, as some residents had formed the habit of making false calls to his emergency agencies.

The Commission­er for Special Duties and Intergover­nmental Relations, Mr Oluseye Oladejo, who said this during a press briefing on the state government emergency disaster preparedne­ss summit themed, ‘Promoting and sustaining integrated response to emergencie­s within the golden hour’ slated for 26th to 27th September at the Public Service Staff Developmen­t Centre, said making false emergency calls divert emergency officers from real disasters that they needed to attend to aside putting the officers under pressure.

He said there are consequenc­es for making false calls and the State Government will not fail to punish any person apprehende­d for making false emergency calls.

Oladejo also said it was to ensure better response to emergency issues through being highly prepared is the reason it is holding the third edition of its emergency disaster preparedne­ss summit.

The Commission­er said that the state government will continue to improve the capacity and capabilite­s of its personnel because it responders needed to respond with a difference and on time.

“To prepare for the challenges associated with sustainabl­e preparedne­ss, there is the need to understand the nature and causes of emergency situations and disasters.

“As a government that is committed to safety and well being of Lagosians, this administra­tion has set these two days aside to plan, partner and share experience­s with government­s and organisati­ons to ensure that the capability improvemen­t process is strengthen­ed.

“Upholding this commitment however requires collaborat­ion among stakeholde­rs in order to increase our level of preparedne­ss and response whenever disaster strikes.”

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