NON-COMPLIANCE with safety standards by construction and manufacturing companies operating in Lagos State will henceforth attract stiffer sanctions, the government has warned.
The warning came after the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC) issued a stop-work-order on Cobel Construction Company on Lagos Island for non-compliance to safety standards.
Its Director-General, Mr. Fouad Oki, who has been leading a team of LSSC officials on safety trail to construction sites, said the government would not watch while regulations stipulating compliance with standards on construction sites and work places were flouted.
According to him, the big stick was wielded on Cobel Construction after it disregarded the series of abatement notices that were served on it.
Mr. Oki expressed displeasure at the lackadaisical attitude displayed by the company’s management, stressing that the government has a responsibility to protect the lives of its citizens.
“The commission will not fold her arms and watch dutiful citizens die or get maimed in the name of working to earn a living.
“The inspection is not aimed at stopping companies from making profit or doing business but to give their employers the benefit of enjoying the gains of their labour in good health and mental well-being.”
Oki promised that the embargo would be lifted as soon as the affected companies did the needful, even as he urged the public to notify LSSC of any safety impediment to forestall avoidable workplace accidents.
The director-general gave 07046494972 as the number to call for prompt and necessary actions on safety concerns, adding that the commission would welcome written reports at its head office at Alausa, Ikeja.