Lagos State Safety Commission
The Director , Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Mr Lanre Omojola, on Thursday called for adherence to safety guidelines to reduce accidents and loss of lives at construction sites.
Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Building
Omojola made the call during a plenary at the 31st Lagos Builders’ Conference organised by the Lagos Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) in Lekki.
The theme for the conference was: “The Shifting Landscape: Redefining the Real Estate Industry”
International Labour Organisation
He said that safety covered all sectors that had human interaction in the workplace and that the International Labour Organisation statistics showed that 2.3 million people die annual from safety issues.
He said that construction sector accounted for 30 per cent of the accidents, which translated to 200 deaths daily from project sites.
Developers and Construction Professionals- Health and Safety
Speaking on the topic “Developers and Construction Professionals- Health and Safety (Ethics Professional and Best Practices), he urged all Nigerians to be disciplined towards practising personal safety to avert danger.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
He said the THEMES agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration took its roots from safety which was the pillar upon which other principles rested.
“Safety starts from within, you first,” he said.
Lagos State Government
He said the Lagos State Government had begun training on how to identify risks, reduce or eliminate them as well as expertise on how to isolate all risk factors.
He urged construction workers to wear certified personal protective equipment because fake ones would compromise their safety.
Omojola, also a facility management and real estate expert, urged construction workers to manage their emotions to avert mistakes that could cause accidents.
Lagos State
He emphasised on “site dicipline to build a culture of safety in Lagos State”.
Gbadebo Olamerun
Mr Gbadebo Olamerun, Managing Director, Gafford Group, spoke on the topic, “Safeguarding Stakeholders Through Insurance”.
He said climate change was compounding issues of building collapse.
Olamerun said recent major insurance claims were climate change-related incidents, adding that insurance was necessary at various stages of construction to absorb risks.
He reeled out the different types of insurance for pre, during and post construction stakeholders.
Lagos State Government
Olamerun commended Lagos State Government for its achievements in regulating the construction sector and urged other states to copy it.
He said houses beyond two floors required insurance and the industry had different packages to cushion unforseen circumstances for contractors, property owners, construction workers and other stakeholders.
Kayode Omotosho
Mr Kayode Omotosho, Executive Secretary, Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN) raised alarm on exorbitant cost of processing title documents.
He said that mortgage institutions were adopting measures to reduce interest rates and expressed hope that emergence of green buildings in the nation had potential to eliminate consequences of climate change.
He said this would increase acceptability of such building documents as collateral, to force down interest rates on mortgage.
Daisy Oso
Also, Mr Daisy Oso, the General Manager, Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Agency (LASPEMA), enumerated efforts towards regulating shanties springing up in urban spaces, constituting abuse and nuisance to Lagos residents.
Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development
Oso said LASPEMA, an agency under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, was saddled with responsibility of managing setbacks and incidental spaces in the state for sustainability and livable city.
