LAGOS GOVT SETS AGENDA FOR SAFETY OF LIVES AT DREDGING, MINING SITES
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The Lagos State Safety Commission has encouraged sand miners and dredgers in the state to be aware of the value of their lives while working at dredging and mining sites throughout the state.
Lanre Mojola, the Commission’s Director-General, made the advise on Monday in his welcome address to a one-day conference of sector stakeholders.
Mojola underlined that the safety of people and property is essential. As a result, the law that established the Lagos State Safety Commission, particularly in the dredging and mining sectors, requires that all hands be on deck to ensure that no lives are lost during dredging and mining activities in any part of the state.
He stated that organisations, communities, and individuals all around the world must be encouraged to focus on the most critical challenges affecting people’s lives. As a result, we must take appropriate action to ensure the safety of life.
The DG stated that the objective of the stakeholders’ conference was not to force anything on individuals, but to think together and propose ideas to avoid unforeseen events on dredging and mining sites.
“As we all can see, some have been injured, while others have been so unfortunate to have gone to the great beyond through compromising attitudes of some of our dredgers and miners at our various sites, hence why we are all here to deliberate and chart a new course for ourselves on how to live and behave responsibly in our various sites”, Mojola said.
Engineer Abiola Kosegbe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, who was represented by Mr. Shomilewo Okikiola, also stated that the state government remains committed to ensuring a safe, resilient, and sustainable Lagos through the protection of lives and property in dredging and mining sites throughout Lagos State.
She asked miners and dredgers to adhere to the previously established and agreed-upon safety guidelines stated by the Lagos State Safety Commission and other sister organisations.
“There is no doubt Lagos State Safety Commission has put in place guidelines for all dredgers and miners bearing in mind that safety measures can’t be overlooked and its importance can’t be underestimated, as far as the safety of dredging and mining sites are concerned”, Kosegbe said.
Dr Tarzan Balogun, National President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transportation in Nigeria (ATBOWAN), has requested that the Lagos State Safety Commission provide a standby safety boat for dredgers and miners to act as checks and balances to their operations at sites, as well as the agency’s eyes on all dredging and mining sites.
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In his submission, Mr. Bature Akpomejero, President of the Dredgers Association of Nigeria, emphasised that the association is cooperating with the government while suggesting that there should be a seamless and joint committee to ensure the establishment of a sub-committee to oversee how safety personnel could be appointed in various dredging and mining sites.
Engr. Festus Todowede, a Director with the Lagos State Safety Commission, outlined the critical life-threatening issues in the dredging and mining sectors, stating that multiple hazardous issues were recorded due to the lack of a life jacket, a missing fire extinguisher around the fuel storage handling area, and the absence of first aid facilities.
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