Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) attended to 1,682 disasters or emergencies in the just ended year, as against 1,743 in 2021, according to data it released.
In the last four years, 2021 produced the highest number of incidents (1,743), followed by 2022 (1,682), 1,043 in 202o and the least in 2019 (1,029).
According to LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency devoted much of 2022 to “capacity and upgrading resources and equipment for first responders”.
He said that LASEMA believed that, with the strategic five-year road map, the state’s resilience has been “strengthened to cover increased geographic spread as well as diversification of transport modes”.
Oke-Osanyintolu further analysed the data for 2022, explaining that out of the 1,682 incidents which the agency attended to, January has the highest (165), followed by May (160), December (156), February (155), while March and September each recorded 148.
Others are: October (141), August (140), July (126), November (124), June (112) and April (107).
Full text of the report by the LASEMA Permanent Secretary:
DATA ANALYSIS 2022
Over time, collated data had revealed new trends in emergency occurrence as development and economic activities continued to increase across the state.
These new and increasing economic activities have in turn impinged, directly and indirectly, on emerging forms of emergency/disasters, with a spiral effect, thus the need to fashion out new approaches to emerging issues in disaster management.
A major disaster at the tail end of 2021 was a clear example of these emerging issues and, fortunately, much of 2022 was spent building capacity and upgrading resources and equipment for first responders including LASAMBUS (Lagos State Ambulance Service), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and LASWA (Lagos State Waterways Authority). Along with a harmonised, strategic five-year road map, we believe that the resilience of Lagos State has been strengthened to cover increased geographic spread as well as diversification of transport modes.
The equipping and training of the LEMC (Local Emergency Management Committees) slated for Q1 2023 will draw on the data outlined in our presentation to ensure a uniquely customised approach to suit each Local Government Area and Local Council Development Area taking into account the incident pattern within each community.
In the last four years, collated data has revealed that LASEMA attended to 1,029 incidents in Y2019, 1,043 incidents in Y2020, 1,743 incidents in Y2021 and 1,682 incidents in Y2022.
In Y2022, out of the 1,682 incidents LASEMA attended to, 165 incidents occurred in January, 155 incidents in February, 148 incidents in March, 107 incidents in April, 160 incidents in May, and 112 incidents in June, Y2022 during first half of the year.
In second half of Y2022, the Agency responded to 126 incidents in July, 140 in August, 148 incidents in September, 141 in October, 124 in November and 156 incidents in December as at 31st December, Y2022.
Final data for Y2022 revealed that the highest number of incidents in a month was recorded in January 2022 with 165 incidents, while the least number of incidents occurred in April Y2022 when data recorded 107 incidents.
On the part of the 20 LGs, data revealed that Alimosho LG recorded the highest with response to 239 incidents in 12 months, while Ikeja LG recording the second highest with 200 incidents and Oshodi/Isolo LG recording the third highest number with 165 incidents in Y2022. These communities would benefit from additional advocacy and community outreach from all first responders as well as community leaders.
Our action plan for 2023 is taking all these into account and remains s dynamic to address the evolving needs of 22 million Lagosians. We will not relent in our efforts.
