LASG warns against illegal fuel storage

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, on Tuesday, warned the public, particularly motorists, against the indiscriminate storage of fuel in inappropriate locations, in light of the scarcity of the Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.

Margaret Adeseye, the state Fire Chief, stressed the vault dangers posed by storing fuel in uncertified areas, such as vehicle boots, under staircases at home, or within workplace premises.

She stated, Such practices, significantly increased the risk of fire outbreaks, endangering lives, environments, and properties.

“The safety of citizens and their surroundings is of paramount importance to the Lagos State government. The recent surge in emergency calls due to preventable incidents is deeply concerning. Consequently, the agency is intensifying its safety enlightenment campaign, targeting commercial facilities, public spaces, and grassroots communities,” Adeseye said in a statement by the service’s deputy spokesperson, Ololade Agboola.

She emphasised that fuel scarcity does not justify illegal or unsafe storage practices, cautioning against repurposing jerrycans used for petrol storage for other flammable liquids.

“Landlords and tenants are urged to remain vigilant and prevent the improper storage of fuel on their premises.

“Filling stations are reminded to discourage customer clustering around dispensing pumps, as such behaviors can escalate into scuffles that may trigger fires. Furthermore, the dispensing of fuel in polythene bags is strictly prohibited,” the statement added.

Fuel scarcity keep on to plunge many Lagosians and other Nigerians into hardship. Petrol pump prices have soared to over N1,000 according to transport workers who spoke in different parts of the state on Tuesday.

The National Association of Nigerian Students stated that it would begin on a protest on May 7, 2024, anticipated to ground activities on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Abuja-Kaduna Road among others if the FG failed to address the fuel scarcity in the country.