Lagos State Governor, Mr.Babatunde Fashola, has tasked the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Police to enforce existing laws to prevent unauthorised importation and storage of firecrackers.

He also swore in Mrs. Oluseyi Josephine Williams as the seventeenth Head of Service in theState Public Service, noting thather emergence “represents a newparadigm” in the appointment topublic offices.   But the governor called for theintervention of the police andcustoms service at the StateHouse, Alausa after receiving areport of a tribunal set up onFebruary 18 to investigate the rootcauses of firecracker explosion,which claimed at least one live,razed twelve houses and destroyed eleven vehicles.He said the state government hadintensified partnership with themen of the Nigerian Customs andthe Nigerian Police Force toensure greater enforcement of theexisting laws to prevent andcontrol unauthorised importationand storage of fireworks in thestate and forestall avoidable fireaccidents.   The governor said after thesubmission of the report, there “ismore work to be done on our parton the report submitted by thetribunal.   We will look into thecontent of the report, accept whatwe are able to accept and issue awhite paper to declare the partsof the report that have beenaccepted by the government.”   “Due to the nature of the report,we will immediately set up acommittee that will include thenewly Head of Service (HOS), Mrs.Josephine Williams to lookcritically into the report in orderto assist the state government topresent a white paper on thesubmitted report,” he explained.   Giving insight into the report,Chairman of the tribunal, JusticeSunday Ishola, recommended thatthe state government shouldlegislate on a new law that wouldcontrol the storage and use of fireworks within the state.  He explained thatthe report “willforestall future occurrence.The law should also specify the date and location where fireworks can be used.   This law is distinct from thelaw on the control of importationfireworks under the exclusive act,Cap E18 of 2004, which is a federallaw.”   “The panel received a total of 18memoranda.  15 witness summons were issued and served on witness to testify before the tribunal.   Evidences were taken from 34witnesses.   And the tribunal visited the site to get on the spot assessment of the extent of damage cause by the fire,” the chairman added.   On the appointment of the newhead of service, Fashola said theappointment is a bigger callingand urged all concerned to helpher keep the oath of her office bypraying for her and not puttingpressure on her.   He said the new head of service“has heard her take oath fromtoday that she will place publicinterest above her personal interest.   She must refrain from those things as she has also sworn before God in our own presence that she will not act in any manner that is in conflict with the oath she has taken before God in our presence.”   The governor therefore wished Williams all the best of luck as sheleads the public service of LagosState, saying the hours will belong but that even the outgoingHead of Service, Prince AdeseyeOgunlewe can testify that there wards are enduring.