The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and other Stakeholders drawn from both public and private sectors across the country on Tuesday expressed overwhelming support for a bill which seeks to establish Safety Regulatory Agency in the country.
In his keynote address during the public hearing on the bill seeking to establish National Safety Regulatory Board and for other related matters, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas explained that the proposed legislation was aimed at developing effective laws capable of regulating and upholding safety standards in various areas, including public spaces, schools, transportation and construction sectors, food processing and commercial facilities.
He said: “Today’s public hearing is significant and a demonstration of our legislative obligation to create and strengthen public institutions whose responsibility it is to guarantee the safety of our people in public and private facilities. While I welcome the stakeholders present at this gathering, it is important to remind you that your robust involvement and contributions are greatly desired to ensure the success of this event.
“Safety standards and regulations are critical to the socio-economic development and well-being of a nation by safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of the people.
“This insight can only be achieved by an efficient public institution which the Bill being evaluated today seeks to establish thereby underscoring the importance of this gathering.
“However, understanding that public hearing is a legislative platform that provides stakeholders an opportunity to shape and reshape the law process, I urge you to make relevant contributions that would improve the quality of the Bill we have assembled here today to review.
“You must also recognize the fact that this gathering affords you desired legislative space to ensure that your views, aspirations, and concerns are reflected in the final version of the law and as a result treat it with all seriousness it deserves
While stressing that importance of security and safety of lives and property cannot be overemphasized, Hon. Abbas reiterated the 10th Assembly’s commitment to the “security and safety of our citizens, the reason we created this committee.
“While inaugurating the Committee on February 8, 2024, I urged the members to pursue legislative processes and actions to reinforce the safety of our citizens. This Bill before us today is in line with that directive.”
On his part, Chairman, House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi described the hearing as “a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards enhancing safety standards and regulations.
“The establishment of the National Safety Regulatory Board represents a crucial step forward in harmonizing and coordinating our efforts across all sectoral safety regulatory agencies. This unified framework will ensure that Nigeria aligns with international best practices, fostering collaboration, reducing duplication, and enhancing and enforcing the effectiveness of our safety measures.
“The National Safety Regulatory Board will prioritize risk assessment, research, and capacity building to tackle emerging safety challenges. It will also play a pivotal role in raising public awareness and education on safety matters, empowering every Nigerian to contribute to a safety-conscious culture.
“I am pleased to announce that the bill proposing the establishment of the National Safety Regulatory Board has been shared extensively with stakeholders for their valuable input. Your contributions are integral to shaping this initiative, and the technical committee, which includes your representatives, will thoroughly review all feedback.
“Together, we aim to create legislation that reflects the diverse needs and perspectives of all stakeholders.
Our goal with this board is clear: to streamline operations, eliminate redundancies, and resolve conflicts across sectoral safety regulatory bodies.
“By consolidating efforts under one unified framework, we will enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and coherence in safety regulation nationwide. Looking ahead, the National Safety Regulatory Board promises to transform safety regulations in Nigeria by promoting effective communication and collaboration among agencies.
“This unified approach will optimise regulatory processes and strengthen our ability to safeguard the well-being of all Nigerians.”