29th July, 2015
Kazeem Ugbodaga
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has received 2,400 life jackets donation from Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited to be distributed to riverine areas in order to curb incessant boat mishap in the state’s waterways.
The governor received the donation from the Deputy Managing Director, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Charles Ngoka at the 2015 World Safety Day Celebration organized by the Lagos State Safety Commission at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Wednesday.
Ambode, who was represented by her deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule re-affirmed the determination of his administration to strengthen the enforcement of safety regulations and laws in order to reduce to the barest minimum incidents of loss of lives and property arising from negligence and non-compliance with the safety measures put in place by the state government.
The governor noted that in recent times, incidents of building collapse, fire disasters, boat mishaps and other avoidable accidents were becoming rampart across the country because of people’s disregard for safety regulations and guidelines in their daily activities.
Ambode said there was an urgent need for all the stakeholders in public safety, including relevant government agencies to rise up to the challenge of increased cheap accidents and avoidable dangers in work places by ensuring a total compliance with safety regulations and measures put in place to avert dangers.
“I believe that time has come for all stakeholders in public safety including relevant government agencies to rise up to this challenge ; as it is not enough to have regulations and standards , they must be enforced and complied with to prevent avoidable loss of lives and properties,” he said.
Ambode, while re-emphasizing the resolve of his administration to ensure strict compliance with safety rules and standard practice, warned that relevant provisions of the laws would be applied against erring individuals and government officials implicated in any identified case of negligence or compromise that may result in avoidable injuries or loss of lives.
Describing the Theme of the Safety Day Celebration: Building A Culture of Prevention on Occupational Safety and Health as appropriate and timely, the governor stated that though accidents are realities of life, he observed that “we can by our action and safety consciousness reduce their frequency and the degree of fatalities when they occur.
While admitting that government alone could not do it, Ambode called on all stakeholders in health, environment, safety as well as all enforcement agencies to partner with the state government by ensuring total compliance with appropriate safety measures, which he said would go a long way in averting disasters and tragedies that might lead to injuries, loss of lives and property.
Presenting the life jackdets, Ngoka said out of the 2,400 life jackets, 1,800 of them were for children ranging from ages 3-15.
“It only takes 60 seconds for an adult to drown and 20 seconds for a child to drown. Children’s life jackets are specifically designed for their weight with adjustable crotch strap to help prevent riding up when worn; padded collar to support the head by keeping the body vertically and tilting the head above water; tie cords at the top and bottom, zipper, quick release buckle, whistle and reflective tape as required to meet international standards approved for all European Union market,” he explained.
Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Dominga Odebunmi said there had been a significant increase in public awareness for safety as a result of vigorous sensitization and advocacy in all the five administrative divisions of the state.
“There has been constant review of the state government programmes and policies on safety which has helped to reduce incidents of accidents in workplaces.
The effort has also helped to achieve 55% safety awareness in public schools across the state,” she said.
She called on other stakeholders in the construction and manufacturing industries to partner the state government in its safety campaign advocacy by waking up to their safety obligations and ensure strict compliance with safety measures in their work places.