The House of Representatives has unveiled plans for the establishment of a Regulatory Agency and Board that will be responsible for implementation of Safety Standards and Regulations in Nigeria.
Chairman, House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, who disclosed this in Abuja, during an interactive session with Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), assured that the proposed legislative framework will be presented to the House after all the stakeholders’ inputs.
He said: “I think every Agency seems to be working in silos, that means no coordination. In our continuous efforts to raise the bar on safety standards, the Committee has identified key areas for improvement. We are focusing on creating a Regulatory Board that will cut across all sectors to address emerging challenges and promote proactive measures.
“Our goal is not just compliance but creating a safety culture that goes beyond regulations, fostering a mindset where safety is ingrained in every aspect of our activities.
“This Committee’s journey will be most interesting, especially with you on board, spanning from our Mission and Vision statements, our 4Cs Value (Consolidation, Capacity Building, Compliance and Culture) on a three-year strategic plan, with unique strategic principles, advantages and an impressive SWOT analysis; the Goals and Action Plans with which the Committee shall by God’s grace work through with you, believing that we will achieve this daunting task together.
“Today, we find ourselves at a juncture where all safety legislations are scattered (FRSC, NSITF, NIMASA, NNRA, NCC, etc) without a coordinating body, no generalized and harmonized Safety Management System, No Reportage System and most of it all the extreme poor compliance rate across board.
“Hence, the need for the establishment of a dedicated Safety Regulatory Board, this is not just a necessity but a moral obligation. It is imperative because a non-kinetic approach in safeguarding lives and properties, where safety is most paramount will be the change mantra.
“It is important to streamline safety regulations across industries, foster a proactive approach to identify and mitigate potential risks, by consolidating the oversight and regulatory functions under a single umbrella, we aim to create a more efficient and cohesive system,” the Chairman noted.
Hon. Gumi, who decried lack of coordination of safety standards and regulations across the country, however handed over the Strategic Work Plan launched by the Committee to all the stakeholders.
While disclosing plans to establish a website for the Committee which will provide an avenue for ordinary citizens to report unsafe situations, Hon. Gumi urged all the stakeholders to participate in the baseline survey initiated to get inputs from all the stakeholders across the country.
While making inputs, other members of the Committee who underscored the need for all the regulatory agencies to step up action in order to ensure compliance with extant safety standards and regulations, maintained that safety is a fundamental right and a non-negotiable aspect of our lives whether at home, in the workplace or within our communities.
In his presentation, Assistant Comptroller General Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Barrister Emmanuel Nwakeze, noted that the 2019 Act made a lot of provisions for people who are disoriented in incarceration.
According to him, Section 9 and other sections of the Act empowered the Minister of Interior to ensure that safety and health of inmates are given priority.
He also noted that personnel who handle firearms are certified, have a minimum period of training before handling arms and undergo mental health screening.
Nwakeze added that the Centre recruited in-house Health Practitioners for all the correctional facilities and established a mental health board to ensure that people in custody’s health.
He added that in case of death of any inmates, any erring officer will be prosecuted.
He also hinted at the Federal Government’s ongoing plans to build 3,000 capacity Custodian centers in six geopolitical zones of the country, totalling 18,000; adding that Kano Correctional Centre has been completed.
While responding to questions on how inmates get drugs while in custody within the Correctional Centre, he argued that some visitors can also bring drugs adding that not all staff are involved in the illicit effort.
Nwakeze, who argued that the Comptroller General of Correctional Centre is doing his best to tackle the menace, disclosed that more than 100 staff were dismissed for drug peddling and other offences, recently.
He also noted that the Centre is collaborating with Sister Agencies in its effort aimed at ensuring security of inmates, adding that a Special Group set up and trained as Intelligent Officers purposely for intelligence gathering to give early warning signs.
Mr. Nwakeze explained that the Centre has robust emergency response for inmates in-custody and ensures adequate training of its personnel with a view to prevent emergencies, adding that the Centre’s plan to establish a Fire Service Unit in all its facilities across the country.
In his response, Hon. Gumi disclosed that the Committee will embark on oversight of the National Correctional Centre soon.
On her part, Director, Education Support Services, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Giginna Lydia briefed the Committee on the ongoing efforts being made to implement Safe School initiative across the country.