Stories by Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations have called for multifaceted efforts by government, manufacturers, industrialists and other employers of labour to ensure safe environment for their workers.
Lawmakers stated this during a one-day World Day for Safety Conference organised by the committee Wednesday in Abuja.
In his address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas informed that safety in the workplace is key to the 10th House Legislative Agenda.
He was represented by Timilehim Adelegbe who disclosed that the House is working towards strengthening existing legislations that enhance workplace safety.
According to him, current statistics on workplace injuries is alarming, even as he emphasized that there are 3,461 injuries in the construction industry alone from 2014 till date.
In his address, the Chairman of the committee, David Zacharia tasked stakeholders to institutionalise safety in all they do for the betterment of the economy.
He maintained that government has a pivotal role in the duty of safeguarding citizens irrespective of where they work.
According to him, “This conference is a call for collective action. It is a shared responsibility. We must take ownership of safety by strengthening safety laws, increase funding, monitoring and public awareness”.
Other key stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals, Nigerian Society of Engineers and other professional bodies also called for the enforcement of enabling laws and strengthening of laws on safety at the workplace.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi said the ministry will continue to engage key stakeholders to ensure that there is advancement of safety standards in the workplace.
