Lagos State government has banned the sale and use of fireworks popularly known as ‘Biscoe and Banger’ during the Yuletide, saying anyone caught will be prosecuted.
The general manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Mr. Michael Akindele who gave the warning yesterday while speaking with journalists said the warning became necessary because of the potential hazard of the device to the people and environment.
He explained that the Lagos State police commissioner has recently outlawed the use of the device for the safety of lives and properties in the state.
Akindele recounted the ordeal of the 26th December, 2012 Jankara fire outbreak caused by the storage of fireworks in some of the shops leading to loss of lives and properties worth million of naira, adding that the government will not tolerate such act.
LASEMA boss alleged that the noise created by fireworks and the large amounts of debris and fallout from shooting may also cause health hazards and environmental nuisance which could degenerate to disaster under certain conditions and may be inimical to communities and neighbourhoods where the users live.
He also added that the careless use of fireworks may be dangerous to the users as they stand the risk of sustaining burns and wounds as well as harming bystanders.
Since it is highly inflammable he said fireworks could cause fire outbreak when thrown on inflammable materials
