By David Okoh.
*says hazards control task challenging
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD has raised concerns over disregard and non-compliance to safety standards and regulations by some public and private institutions across the country.
The Speaker expressed the concerns on Thursday in Abuja, while delivering his address at the inauguration of 10th House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations and formal launch of its Strategic Document.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Speaker noted that the right of citizens to a safe and decent place of work, devoid of hazards is fundamental in any society and has been consistently included in all declarations of human rights globally.
He however said the nation’s dilemma has been how best to translate it to reality, as the task of identifying, eliminating and controlling hazards though noble, has been very challenging.
Abbas lamented that despite measures taken by government, institutions, NGOs and other safety advocates, Nigeria continues to witness the devastating effects of unsafe acts which for the most part, is as a result of the disregard to existing safety standards and regulations.
He said that the parliament is saddened by catastrophic events across the country ranging from fatal motor accidents, explosions, boat mishaps, accidental discharge, market fires which has claimed innocent lives and loss of properties.
The Speaker re-echoed the government’s on matters that would jeopardize the lives or assets of citizens, urging heads of both private and public institutions to wake up to their responsibility and control the risks inherent in their operations.
Commending the pragmatic strategic plan developed by the Committee, Abbas said the goals are apt, and reassured the Committee of the support of the Leadership of the House.
He expressed optimism that their legislative and oversight functions would resolve the challenges faced by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and the Private Sector.
The Speaker said, “It is with utmost pleasure that I address you on this special gathering to formally inaugurate a very important Committee of this 10th Assembly. The Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, ably chaired by Hon (Dr.) Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, FNSE. Despite some measures taken by government, institutions, NGOs and other safety advocates, we continue to witness the devastating effects of unsafe acts and conditions, which for the most part, is as a result of the disregard to existing safety standards and regulations.
“Within the few weeks of this year, we have been saddened by catastrophic events across the country ranging from fatal motor accidents, explosions, boat mishaps, accidental discharge, market fires and much more which has claimed innocent lives and loss of properties. Consequently, the leadership and membership of this Committee has been carefully selected to reverse this trend using all the tools available to us as the legislative arm of government. I am confident that their legislative and oversight functions would resolve the challenges faced by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and the Private Sector.
“I am particularly pleased with the well-articulated and pragmatic strategic plan developed by the Committee within this short time. The goals are apt, and I wish to reassure the Committee of the support of the Leadership of the House. I hereby urge Heads of both private and public institutions to wake up to their responsibility and control the risks inherent in their operations. They should implement a systematic and holistic approach to safety (systems, behavioural, process, etc) and engage competent persons to manage them.
We at the House of Representatives have not exempted ourselves from this scrutiny; in addition to the upgrade of our safety and security architecture, we are conducting a fire risk assessment of our complex, which will be followed by a fire drill in due course. On this note, I wish to formally launch the Strategic Document of the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations.”
