ISPON launches nationwide safety compliance enforcement
The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria has embarked on the enforcement of safety compliance in both the private and public sectors across the country.
The National President of ISPON, Timothy Iwuagwu, who revealed this in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said the enforcement is in line with the provisions of its Act, number 2 of 2014.
Speaking to journalists as part of activities marking the 2024 World Day for Safety and Health, themed, ‘Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Occupational Safety and Health’, Iwuagwu emphasized the need for companies to have safety officers, noting with concern that many companies do not have them.
He also highlighted that supermarkets, churches, hospitals, and schools are required to have safety units.
Iwuagwu recalled a circular issued by the Head of Service of the federation in July 2022, directing all ministries, parastatals, and agencies of government to establish a safety desk.
Iwuagwu said that the provisions of the Act stipulate heavy penalties for offenders, adding that an individual who claims to be a safety officer but is not, is liable to a fine of not exceeding N100,000 and six-month imprisonment or both.
He added that the Act further stipulates that if a company employs someone who is not a safety professional to be in charge of safety-critical responsibility, such a company is liable to a fine of a minimum of N500,000 or imprisonment or both.
“The enforcement of safety compliance in both private and public sectors of the economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has commenced as contained in the relevant provisions of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria Act No 2 of 2014.
“People should look at the Act, the offenses, and penalties properly, the Act says in both the public and private sector, if an individual claims to be a member of ISPON, whereas he is not, the law says he will pay a fine of not exceeding N100,000 and six-month imprisonment either the fine or imprisonment or both.
“And if a company employs somebody who is not a safety professional to be in charge of safety-critical responsibility, the law says such a company will pay a minimum of N500,000 which means they can even pay N20m or M100m depending on imprisonment to whom it may concern.
“A lot of companies do not have safety officers. All the supermarkets, churches, hospitals, all public and private schools are supposed to have safety units. In July 2022, there was a circular from the head of the service of the federation that every ministry, parastatal, or agency of government must have a safety desk, so we have started in earnest to enforce safety compliance, it’s a nationwide thing,” Iwuagwu said.
While noting that the government that is supposed to partner with the organization is not doing so, the president used the opportunity to call on governments at various levels to partner with ISPON to enforce their political agenda of youth employment.
He explained that the reason why the organization decided to start the launch in Akwa Ibom is because of the ARISE agenda of Governor Umo Eno, adding that, “It’s easier to keep a vehicle that is in motion moving than to move a vehicle that is static.”
Iwuagwu expressed his concerns about the challenges facing the organization, highlighting the leadership crisis that plagued it at its inception as the greatest hurdle.
He mentioned that while some members were committed to the organization’s progress, others with malicious intent were causing division and instability. He noted that overcoming this leadership crisis was a prolonged struggle for the organization.
The 2024 World Day for Safety and Health was marked with a public lecture on ‘The challenge of Climate Change on Occupational Safety and Health’ delivered by Professor Comfort Etok of the University of Uyo and the impact of Institutional Safety —-The Akwa Ibom State experience delivered by Engr. Dr Anthony Akadi.
