PROPERTY NEWS

The Lagos State Government will pay greater attention to how to implement strict safety measures in the implementation of infrastructural projects in the coming months.

Governor Babatunde Fashola, who gave this indication on Wednesday, said that it was imperative to take into consideration the safety of workers and contractors who worked towards the development of projects in the state.

Fashola was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Rural Development, Prince Lanre Balogun, during the Health, Safety, and Environment Sensitisation Programme for all Contractors in Lagos State on Good Safety Practice, on Wednesday.

While presenting his keynote address, he said, "The attainment of the mega city status by Lagos state has certainly thrown up enormous challenges for the government and the people of Lagos and is a clarion call on everyone to be vigilant and proactive in all they do to be safe and healthy. This attitude and mindset will help to ensure that accidents and ill-health are reduced to the barest minimum.

"The challenge therefore is to find ways to incorporate this approach of health and safety into the design and implementation of infrastructural projects across the sectors in the state in order to safeguard public safety and well being, and this therefore makes the need for sensitising our contractors and every segment of society in this matter very important.

Emphasising the importance of the inclusion of HSE standards in activities, Balogun noted that the large population of the state made it a focal point in the development of infrastructure, thus bringing to the fore the need to improve the working environment of the contractors and workmen involved in project implementation.

"It is no longer news that Lagos State, with over 18 million people is one of the most populated cities in the world, and this status confers serious responsibilities of maintaining high level of consciousness and accountability on both the government and citizens with respect to health and safety within the environment," he said.

He noted the states‘ resolve to ensure that it facilitates preventive practices, implement controls and encourage continuous improvement that will assure health and safety of the citizenry, adding that this could be seen in some actions already taken by the government such as installation of smoke alarms in government estates of multiple dwellings.