The Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA) is set to launch a Joint Rapid Response Team in the State, with the Oyo State Fire Service. This would enhance Oyo State Fire Service’s timely intervention to fire incidents at market places.
Speaking today in Ibadan, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), Dr. Akin Fagbemi asserted that the Rapid Response Team would put an end to the complete blockade of access roads to the markets by the haphazard and indiscriminate parking of vehicles, noting that this remains a major factor standing athwart the path of fire fighters in case of emergencies.
This is coming on the heels of the recent dastard fire incident that walloped over twenty shops and stores at the Dugbe-Alawo market in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.
Fagbemi revealed that “OYRTMA, as a proactive and responsive government agency has put in place workable framework to collaborate, in a Joint Rapid Response Operation, with the State’s Fire Service”.
“While I commiserate with all affected traders in the inferno that occurred at Dugbe, may I seize this opportunity to join the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde to beseech marketers, both sellers and buyers, to maintain high level of discipline as regards road usage in the market places”, he said.
He explained that collaboration with Oyo State Fire Services will enhance effectiveness of the State Fire Service, especially when Operatives of OYRTMA clear access roads to market places before arrival of the State Fire Service vehicles.
Mogaji Akin Fagbemi said, “this will further corroborate and enhance the efficacy of the State Fire Service by clearing access roads and towing all encumbrances that could delay timely access to the fire sources for subsequent quenching’’.
It would be recalled that, on Wednesday, April 15 2020, over twenty shops and stores at the Dugbe-Alawo market in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, were gutted by fire.