Safety standards: We will not entertain any erring company – Reps C’ttee

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has unveiled plans to clamp down on erring oil and gas, power, telecommunication, construction companies, among others as part of ongoing efforts geared toward ensuring safety of Nigerians across the country.
Chairman, House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi who issued the threat notice during the inauguration of the Committee by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, vowed that the “Committee will not entertain any erring company as it will ensure zero tolerance to safety standards compliance in all Sectors.”
He warned that the Committee will ensure reduction in radiation from indiscriminate deployment of telecom equipment; to ensure compliance, clean-up of hazardous waste and propel Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as to curb pollution in oil and gas sector.
In discharging its functions, he assured that the Committee will “use all legislative tools in ensuring that the safety of all Nigerians across all sectors of our economy is guaranteed with creative and innovative approach in our oversight functions.
“The next 3 years plus of our activities in the Committee will primarily focus on a vision to be a frontline and globally recognise legislative platform, committed to safety standard and optimum safe environment for all.
“This we intend to achieve through our mission statement of promoting and enforcing Safety Standards and Regulations at all levels through safety-conscious legislative and oversight functions and technological-driven processes in private and public sectors.
“Our topmost principles and priority will be based on 4Cs of Consolidation, Capacity Building, Compliance and Culture. In the next three years of this Committee, we will ensure that House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations becomes the lead in safety related matters and build mutual trust among stakeholders and citizens.
“Furthermore, we will ensure that there is an increased compliance rate to safety standards and regulations among high and medium organizations as well as increase in the pool of well trained and certified team of safety professionals in Nigeria.”
In the bid to achieve the set objectives, Hon. Gumi stressed the need to put in place an updated and enforceable national safety legislation that is “applicable to all sectors, with a database for tracking progress and institutions to effectively implement them in our national interest.
“Moreover, it will be this Committees priority to develop a national minimum benchmark for safety management system, to be managed by competent persons that will be monitored and enforced by a National Safety Regulatory Board with a reliable safety database.
“It is imperative to mention that, our new approach to Safety Standards and Regulations will not only focus on the few sectors of the economy as the normal practise in the past, but will be extended to cover safety standard in all private