ENGINEER FUNMI OBISESAN WRITE GOVERNOR MAKINDE ON THE WAY FORWARD TO THE INCESSANT FIRE INCIDENCES IN OYO STATE.

To:

His Excellency Gov Seyi Makinde

RE: ARAROMI AUTO SPARES PARTS MARKET FIRE, AGODI GATE IBADAN

Barely a month ago, that I wrote an Open letter to Your Excellency Gov Seyi Makinde Sir, on the incessant fire incidences in Oyo state following the Saabo market fire of 2nd of March 2021, now the Agodi gate spare parts market fire of April 3, 2021. Permit me to; in the spirit of the view that all of us needs to contribute our bits perhaps in skills or resources to ensuring that our Oyo state continues to thrive; offer some tips ( not a detailed safety impact assessment/audit) on the things that in my view are some of the right steps for the government to take as prevention is always better than cure:

1. Reports stated that the fire started as an electrical fire. Full assessment needs to be conducted to ensure that there are no illegal or unprofessional electrical connections; when the market gets reconstructed but preferably when it is relocated.

2. The fire truck of the fire agency had accessibility problems when they arrived at the fire scene because the entry to the market is small. This should make a case for the reason that the market should be relocated, like you have suggested. The human capacity at this market has outgrown its size hence in my view, making severity of incidences to be severe.

3. Auto spare parts markets are known to have lots of oil spills ( engine oil or other types of oils that the traders use to keep their items from rusting). Oils and probable petrol storages at some shops might have contributed to the severity of this fire. To this effect, a holistic root cause analysis needs to be carried out by professional safety experts, so that the suggested solutions that they proffer after their findings will be the solutions that will ensure the prevention of re-occurrence either at this current market when re-constructed or relocated.

4. The tyre sessions would have made the fire to spread very quickly, Tyres are highly flammable, the toxic emissions from burning tyres are very bad for the public health, to this effect adequate shop outlaying/planning needs to be taken into consideration when the market is re-constructed or preferably relocated.

5. If the National Orientation Agency are not living up to the task, Oyo state can seek the permission of the state assembly (if this is a requirement) to set up "Oyo State Orientation Agency" information is light, basic market fire sensitisation sessions at our market places can really go a long way in the prevention of avoidable fire incidences which is better than paying solidarity visits and the rolling out of financial supports.

All other safety tips as shared in my Open letter of 3rd of March 2021 can be applied in addition to as suggested above.

Thank you for taking time to read,Sir.