Following the fire incident at Apongbon market on Wednesday, the Lagos State Government has shut down the bridge and given a 48-hour quit notice to owners of makeshift shops and containers in the area.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr Gbenga Oyerinde, gave the notice at the commencement of the removal of containers and makeshift shops affected by the fire incident to forestall spreading to other parts of the area.
READ ALSO: Apongbon Market Fire: Lagos Govt Shuts Eko Bridge, Announces Alternative Routes
The Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Oke-Osanyintolu also stressed this during an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday.
During the rescue operation, Osanyintolu said the main cause of the fire started from inside the containers and henceforth owners of containers close to bridges across Lagos State are advised to remove them.
“The next stage is preventing reoccurrence of this fire. We need to conduct integrity test on the bridge. So those who have containers around bridges in Lagos State, we have given them 48 hours to remove the containers. They should relocate.
“This is because the safety of lives is paramount to the Lagos State government,” he said.
Also at the scene, the General Manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dolapo Fasawe urged onlookers to leave the scene.
“Inhaling smoke is injurious to your health. While we are awaiting evacuation, we are appealing to people to please stay away to prevent inhaling this black soot. We are also appealing to onlookers for their safety to stay away,” Fasawe said in an interview with Channels Television.
The Federal and Lagos State government assured that it is working closely to manage the traffic situation within the Apongbon axis and other areas following the incident.
The government asked residents to cooperate with traffic management officers to reduce the number of hours spent on the road.