Reps set to upgrade safety, security architecture

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On Thursday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, unveiled plans for the upgrade of existing facilities with a view to ensuring the safety and security of the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Hon. Abbas, who disclosed this in Abuja during the inauguration of the 10th House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations chaired by Hon. Suleiman Abubakar Gumi, formally launched the 2024–2026 Strategic Work Plan initiated by the Committee.

In order to ensure the safety of members and thousands of workers within the complex, he disclosed that the House leadership is conducting a fire risk assessment of the complex, which will be followed by a fire drill in due course.

The Speaker, who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, however, expressed grave concerns over disregard for and non-compliance with safety standards and regulations by some public and private institutions across the country.

He maintained that the right of citizens to a safe and decent place of work, devoid of hazards, is fundamental in any society and has been consistently included in all declarations of human rights globally.

He, however, said the nation’s dilemma has been how best to translate it to reality, as the task of identifying, eliminating, and controlling hazards, though noble, has been very challenging.

Abbas lamented that despite measures taken by the government, institutions, NGOs, and other safety advocates, Nigeria continues to witness the devastating effects of unsafe acts, which, for the most part, are a result of the disregard for existing safety standards and regulations.

He said that the parliament is saddened by catastrophic events across the country, ranging from fatal motor accidents, explosions, boat mishaps, accidental discharges, and market fires, which have claimed innocent lives, and the loss of properties.

The Speaker re-echoed the government’s concerns on matters that would jeopardise the lives or assets of citizens, urging heads of both private and public institutions to wake up to their responsibility and control the risks inherent in their operations.

Commending the pragmatic strategic plan developed by the Committee, Abbas said the goals are apt and reassured the Committee of the support of the leadership of the House.

He expressed optimism that their legislative and oversight functions would resolve the challenges faced by ministries, departments, agencies, and the private sector.

The Speaker said: “It is with utmost pleasure that I address you at this special gathering to formally inaugurate a very important committee of this 10th Assembly. The Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, ably chaired by Hon. (Dr) Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, FNSE.

“Despite some measures taken by the government, institutions, NGOs, and other safety advocates, we continue to witness the devastating effects of unsafe acts and conditions, which, for the most part, are the result of disregard for existing safety standards and regulations.

“Within the few weeks of this year, we have been saddened by catastrophic events across the country ranging from fatal motor accidents, explosions, boat mishaps, accidental discharge, market fires, and much more that have claimed innocent lives and the loss of properties.

“Consequently, the leadership and membership of this committee have been carefully selected to reverse this trend using all the tools available to us as the legislative arm of government.

“I am confident that their legislative and oversight functions would resolve the challenges faced by ministries, departments, agencies, and the private sector.

“I am particularly pleased with the well-articulated and pragmatic strategic plan developed by the Committee within this short time. The goals are apt, and I wish to reassure the committee of the support of the leadership of the House. I hereby urge heads of both private and public institutions to wake up to their responsibility and control the risks inherent in their operations.

“They should implement a systematic and holistic approach to safety (systems, behaviours, processes, etc.) and engage competent people to manage them.

“We at the House of Representatives have not exempted ourselves from this scrutiny; in addition to the upgrade of our safety and security architecture, we are conducting a fire risk assessment of our complex, which will be followed by a fire drill in due course.

“On this note, I wish to formally launch the Strategic Document of the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations.”

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