Lagos State Government has called on residents of the State to continually apply basic safety concepts in order to stall the progression of risk and possible loss of lives and property across the State.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Seye Oladejo, made the call at the official launch of Lagos Vision Zero organised by the State Safety Commission at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, on Tuesday.
Oladejo said that there is the need for a paradigm shift at every level of organisations, from one of fault-finding to one that focuses on finding solutions to prevent injuries and ill health.
He said the State Safety Commission is now better positioned to raise awareness about the need to reduce exposure to risks at all levels through civic enlightenment, monitoring and above all improve safety consciousness that will contribute to saving lives, homes, and livelihoods.
Speaking on the theme of the Conference, Oladejo stated that “this conference is expected to develop a workplace safety template for the State and by extension guarantee the wellbeing of all workers in Lagos State.”
The Commissioner maintained that Lagos State like many other mega-cities around the world is also grappling with the effects of high population and thus realised the need for effective safety culture management in order to avoid dramatic consequences and prevent unnecessary loss of lives.
He assured participants at the conference that the State government will continue to promote the culture of awareness, preparedness, and response at the policy level so that more lives and assets of Lagosians can be saved.
“This administration is aware of the attendant impact of safety and disaster issues on health, welfare, and productivity of the people, thus we have shared the global vision to promote effective and sustainable safety standard templates and the ultimate achievement of safety for all”.
While urging residents of the State to be determined, more than ever, before to comply with safety rules and regulations and also strengthen safety apparatus in the State, Oladejo added that “Safety is everybody’s business, I urge all participants here present to be increasingly more vigilant and report to appropriate quarters any issue or incident that may threaten the peace, progress, safety, and security of the good people of Lagos State”.
The Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Hakeem Dickson explained that the Vision Zero Conference was borne out of the need to reduce to the barest minimum, hazards, and risk in the workplace and ensure Zero injury, Zero accidents, Zero deaths and promote health and wellbeing.
He said; “This Conference focuses on building capacities and raising awareness at all levels of work to cultivate a positive change mindset that all injuries and ill health caused are preventable and a belief that Zero Harm is possible. Vision Zero will not be a destination but an on-going journey”.
“Lagos Vision Zero Conference with the theme: “A Mindset Change Towards Zero Harm” is in conformity with the recent sensitisation by the Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation on “Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset”, Dickson stated.
He called on all residents of the State to come on board and support Lagos State Government by keying into the vision zero so that any unsafe acts can be reduced to the barest minimum and workplace wellbeing promoted significantly.