OSHAssociation NIGERIA REACTS TO IMO ILLEGAL REFINERY EXPLOSION
Reacting to the Imo illegal refinery explosion, the Nigeria Region of the Occupational Safety and Health Association United Kingdom has called on the States and Federal Governments to as a matter of urgency, step up efforts to stop the illegal bunkering in the country.
The Nigeria Regional President of OSHAssociation stated this in his reaction to Friday’s explosion where no fewer than 100 people were killed after an illegal refinery went up in flames at Abaezi community in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
Speaking via a statement, the Regional President, HRH Dr. Amb. Aderemi Olusegun FOSHA described the incident as quite unfortunate being that over 100 persons were burnt beyond recognition.
HRH Dr. Aderemi who tagged the incident as an ‘economic sabotage’ emphasised the need for safety measures to be inculcated across all ventures of the economy.
The OSHAssociatio’s Regional President said: “The challenge here is that the issues of illegal bunkering have been one which the government has been working relentlessly to crush; and though it is quite unfortunate that over 100 lives were lost, it is also an opportunity for all relevant and concerned agencies of government to step into action to end this menace as this illegal business also incurs environmental hazard on the communities”.
Similarly, Engr. Emmanuel Uwalaka MOSHA, the Regional Administrator of OSHAssociation – Nigeria Region also called on heads and captains of industries to upscale safety compliance measures and culture across their organisations adding that Nigeria can be among the top countries with the best safety standards compliance if they tilt towards safety. He also added that the National Safety Advocacy Project (NSAP) 2021-2023 is already touching lives by improving the level of safety consciousness in the country.
Engr. Emmanuel furthermore, urged captains of industries to come on board the project to further improve the localization of safety compliance in the nation.
The National Safety Advocacy Project (NSAP) is in consolidation of the mandate of the Occupational Safety & Health Association (OSHAssociation) to achieve zero deaths, fatalities and incidents in workplaces through the implementation of preventive strategies in all the sectors of the economy, including the informal sectors in Nigeria.
Safety View Reports!
It’s quite unfortunate and we all are Challenged by the urgly incident. I join my National President HRH Dr. Amb. Aderemi Olusegun FOSHA to decry the spate of lawlessness and inglorious behaviour of our youths and other strata of persons and urge everyone to embrace the message if safety all over the world. Also, I see thiss mishap as an eye opener to all particularly our leaders who should breast up and start now to engage our teeming youths train on safety preserves, security of lives, properties and environment. OSHA in collaboration with the Federal Polytechnic shall soon flag off training on Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) where our youths, men and women shall be trained and receive UK certification and through such can be gainfully employed in Oil Companies , industries and Government establishments as SAFETY OFFICERS. By so doing so many lives are saved and encumbrances with these nefarious and recalcitrant behaviours that reduces human dignity can be highly averted.
DR A C MADU JP, FOSHA
Imo State Chairman
OSHA, UK (Nig. Region)