Published 14 February 2022
The House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations has given a seven-day deadline to 20 companies involved with manufacturing, construction, tank farms, and logistic operations in petroleum sector. They are required to submit relevant documents on their safety, health, and environment policies.
The Chairman of the committee, Ibrahim Hamza, issued the ultimatum at the end of a four-day oversight tour and on-the-spot-assessment of some companies facilities in Port Harcourt, River State.
Some of the companies visited included Intels and Brawal Shipping Nigeria Ltd. Notore Chemicals Industries Plc. Oando Plc. West African Container Terminal. Tonimas, M-I Nigeria Ltd. Julius Berger. Total Energies. Indorama PetroChemical Ltd. Sahara Energy. Schlumberger Nigeria Ltd. Aos Orwell Ltd. operating at Onne.
The lawmakers condemned the recent spate of fires at oil and gas facilities in Nigeria. They stressed the need for employers in both the public and private sectors to adhere to HSE regulations. This is to ensure the safety of Nigerian workers as well as expatriates.
Hamza said, “As you see, in the past 96 hours we had intensive and intensive advocacy tours around over 20 companies within and around River State; manufacturing, construction, and oil-and-gas industries. We saw a lot.
What we actually do is to assess and analyze on-the spot what is happening in the industry in terms of safety and health. We saw a lot.
We will review what we have seen and analyse it to determine if we can make new laws or amend existing laws in order to ensure that safety and health are protected in our work environment.
The chairman also emphasized the importance of employers of labour implementing and enforcing policies against bullying at work and sexual harassment. The bullying policy includes all aspects of safety and health management systems. He said that he was certain that these policies will be improved and all these things will be taken care.
Hamza instructed all companies to submit the necessary safety and health documentation in compliance with the 84 checklist. This was to ensure that further legislative scrutiny could be done.
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