The Head of Civil Service of Nigeria has commenced the training of Occupational Safety and Health Desk Officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government.
The Head of Civil Service, Folashade Yemi-Esan while declaring the training open in Abuja, said the move was in realization of the objective of Pillar 6 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025, which is to enhance value proposition for civil servants through improved staff welfare.
According to her, the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy approved by the Federal Executive Council, mandated the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to ensure the provision of safe, conducive and healthy work environment and to promote international best practices for workers in all Government establishments.
“This approval has propelled the Office to direct all MDAs to establish or resuscitate Occupational Safety and Health Desks in their offices, which is to be manned by staff who will be trained to discharge the responsibilities of coordinating the implementation of OSH activities in these MDAs,” she said.
She further stated that the 3-day training programme with the theme: ‘Fostering a Safe, Conducive and Healthy Work Environment for Civil Servants’, is aimed at equipping officers with the necessary tools to enable them deliver effectively on their duties as well as enhance their degree of performance in accomplishing the task of policy formulation and nation building.
Also at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mahmud Kambari, maintained that the training will help Desk Officers understand the approved practices and safety expectations within their work environment, as well as expose them to a wide range of topics on Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Management, adding that this will assist in coordinating the implementation of OSH activities in their various Agencies.
