Reps Raise Alarm Over disregard to Safety Standards, Regulations By Nigeria’s Institutions
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has raised concerns over disregard and non-compliance to safety standards and regulations by some public and private institutions across the country.
The Speaker who expressed concerns 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 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.
Abbas who was Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Speaker 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 however 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.
