Governor Alex Otti has welcomed a proposal by the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulation to establish a Safety Commission in Abia state, describing the initiative as consistent with his administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen safety standards and emergency response across the State.
Governor Otti stated this,Friday, while receiving a delegation from the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulation, led by its Chairman, Hon. David Zacharias, at Nvosi,Isiala Ngwa South LGA where the team outlined the rationale, benefits and operational framework for the proposed Safety Commission.
The Governor commended the delegation for its presentation, noting that the Committee’s proposal on safety standards aligns with measures already being implemented by his administration in the State.
He further noted that while the State had not yet established a formal Safety Commission, his administration has taken practical steps to strengthen safety and emergency response systems.
Governor Otti disclosed that his administration rehabilitated several abandoned fire trucks to improve the State’s emergency response in addition to rebuilding a new State Fire Service.
He said the State now has more than ten operational fire trucks capable of responding to emergencies within ten minutes and plans to extend such emergency services to all Local Government Areas.
Governor Otti also stressed the importance of public reorientation on safety practices, especially in markets and industrial areas where unsafe electrical connections and improper storage of combustible materials often contribute to fire outbreaks.
The Governor cited the ongoing redevelopment of Ekeoha Market as part of his administration’s efforts to improve safety and infrastructure in commercial centres.
He advised the delegation to seek legislative backing through the State House of Assembly to institutionalize the Commission.
Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulation, Hon. David Zacharias, explained that the committee was mandated to address safety compliance challenges across Nigeria and to encourage States to institutionalize regulatory frameworks that would ensure safer workplaces and industries.
Hon Zacharias noted that poor adherence to safety regulations has continued to expose workers and businesses to avoidable risks.
He observed that only Lagos State currently operates a safety commission among Nigeria’s 36 States adding that the delegation chose Abia because of the pace of industrial and economic development under the present administration.
“We have observed the kind of industry and the speed that the industry in your state has carried on. There is a need to establish safety commissions in Abia State”, he said.
In a technical presentation, the Committee’s Health and Safety Consultant, Dr Finiah Iwu, noted that safety compliance across industries, both private and public has remainedweak despite existing laws and explained that the proposed commission would provide statutory authority to regulate workplace safety across industries, including manufacturing, construction, oil services and agro-processing.
Dr Iwu added that the Commission would help enforce safety regulations, reduce workplace accidents, attract responsible investors and create additional revenue streams through compliance levies, registration fees, inspections and training programmes.
He also noted that improved safety compliance would reduce healthcare costs, protect workers and align Abia with international standards such as those of the International Labour Organisation.
Also, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Ogbonna, informed the delegation that Abia State had already made progress towards establishing a safety regulatory framework.
He explained that the Otti led administration has developed and approved a policy on safety regulation as well as approved an implementation plan.
According to him, the process is currently at the stage of establishing the Commission itself, which will complete the three-phase framework of policy formulation, coordination and institutionalisation.
