The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, has advised against the sale and use of fire crackers or any type of fireworks within business districts to prevent hazards to the people and the environment.

Oyerinde disclosed today in Lagos while speaking on the Office’s preparation for the yuletide season, urging parents and guardians to warn their wards against the use of fireworks.

He said that the law banning its use is still in force and security agencies in Lagos State will arrest those selling and using the device in the markets. The Special Adviser averred that @lagos_cbd enforcement officers and other security agencies have been mandated to ensure that fireworks should not be used by anyone, especially within the markets and residential areas.

“Fireworks have a similar sound as some guns used by criminals, as such people cannot differentiate them. Also, there is a need to protect markets against fire outbreaks.

Therefore, it is important to clamp down on the sale and usage to help secure people and valuable property, as the Christmas and New Year celebrations approach”, he said.

Similarly, the Special Adviser assured shoppers, residents and business owners within the Central Business Districts of the readiness of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration to ensure the yuletide season is devoid of traffic gridlock and criminal activities.

He noted that the State Govt is concerned about the menace of some recalcitrant commercial bus drivers, private vehicles owners and commercial motorcycle operators on roads because they cause needless road traffic snarls & loss of man-hours on routes within the business district.

Informing that the State government has put adequate measures in place to ensure that residents, business owners and shoppers go about their activities with much ease during the festive period, the Special Adviser hinted that there will also be total enforcement of the traffic and safety laws.

“It is not enough to have safety regulations, they must be enforced and complied with to prevent avoidable loss of lives, property and injuries.

As a government which cares about the safety of lives and property, nothing short of strict adherence to safety rules will be acceptable, relevant provisions of the law will be applied against erring individuals and organisations”, he said.

Oyerinde, therefore, urged all stakeholders within the business districts to be vigilant, especially when in large gatherings such as in markets, religious programmes and carnivals, assuring that the State, especially the CBDs, remain safe and secure for people to live and do business.

He also appealed to Community Development Associations, leaders of religious organisations, members of organised trade unions and associations to work with the State government as well as security agencies to report suspicious activities that may compromise the security of lives and property.