The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has decried increasing incidents of deaths from occupational accidents and diseases sustained in the course of working in the country.
His comment comes following recent stunning statistics that almost two million people die globally from work related causes each year.
The Governor stated this in his keynote address at the 2022 Lagos State occupational safety and health conference with the theme, “Let’s Act Together to Build a Positive Safety and Health Culture”.
At the event organised by the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Relations and Lagos State Safety Commission held in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the annual global event has not only helped to raise awareness and promote the entrenchment of safe practices in workplaces in order to prevent the occurrences of accidents and diseases but has also ensured that employers of labour take seriously the health and safety of their employees.
The Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji said, “In Lagos, for several years now, we have consistently taken into consideration our population strength and this has greatly influenced most of our policies and initiatives especially as it comes to job creation, employee, employer relationship as well as workplace safety.
“Lagos is the economic capital of Nigeria and by implication, our state has more companies, businesses and employers than other states. This means that we cannot afford to joke with or take lightly the safety of the workplace and health of employees as doing this will have a detrimental implication on the individuals, families and the entire Lagos populace. Globally, a lot of injuries and accidents happen in workplaces and I believe this is what has increased the concern and demand for workplace safety and health.’’
Governor Sanwo-Olu added that, “It is important for people to have a sense of security and assurance that whenever they leave their houses for their offices and places of work, they will return home safely to their families.’’
Restating commitment
In his address, the Director General Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola pointed out that Lagos State government led by Mr Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the safety and well-being of workers in the state by providing the necessary funds and support to ensure that the Lagos State Safety Commission joins the rest of the world in marking the event.
Mojola explained that the vision of creating a safe and healthy work environment in Lagos can only be achieved through effective dialogue and active participation in the development, formulation, and revision of occupational safety and health frameworks, policies and strategies.
According to him, “it is only when stakeholders are carried along in the development of Safety Management Systems that they can effectively connect with such policy documents.
“This is why the Lagos State Safety Commission has been at the forefront of constructively engaging MDAs, professional bodies and other non-governmental organizations to ensure that a culture of safety is created across the State.
‘’Earlier in the year, we flagged off the “Zero Accident ‘’Campaign” for Y2022 and have since commenced active sensitisation and advocacy to Lagos residents on basic safety practices that will prevent injuries, accidents and fatalities.’’
He stressed that with regards the manufacturing sector, the Commission recently signed a Memorandum of Association with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and has commenced safety certification of factories and offices of its members to ensure that business processes are carried out in accordance with agreed safety standards, policies and codes of practice to reduce the number of work-related accidents, injuries and deaths.
Dominica Nwabufo
