From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and other stakeholders are collaborating to create a national profile that will serve as the foundation for the country’s Occupational Safety and Health Systems.
The Profile would promote efficient management of workplace safety and health in Nigeria and boost economic growth of the country, in line with Priority Three (3) of the Administration’s Development Agenda, according to Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha.
Onyejeocha stated this at the opening of a 2-day Workshop of the Draft Review and Validation of the Nigeria Country Profile on Occupational Safety and Health, held Wednesday in Abuja.
She noted that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu was passionate about the protection of the labour force and the revitalisation of the economy for the improved well-being of Nigerians.
“This spells the need at this time, for the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to take this step in developing a robust and comprehensive National Profile on Occupational Safety and Health.” She said.
The Minister added that: “The Nigerian Government recently ratified ILO Convention 187 on Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, which aims to promote a preventive safety and health culture at the national level.
This, according to her, was an important step towards ensuring safe working environments nationwide through the activities of the Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The minister noted that Occupational Safety and Health Systems have been widely proven to be an effective strategy for achieving sustainable Safety and Health Management.
“This had led to the draft review of the Nation’s Country Profile on Occupational Safety and Health, so as to secure the much desired Preventative Occupational Safety and Health Culture; through the participatory implementation of Occupational Safety and Health programmes by various Stakeholders,” she noted.
She advised that in reviewing the National Occupational Safety and Health Profile, statakeholders, should not only participate in the review processes but also be held accountable for their unique roles and responsibilities.
She said that would help ensure that the Occupational Safety and Health Management System is effective in preventing and mitigating the impact of workplace accidents, injuries, illnesses, dangerous occurrences, disasters and deaths.
“The primary aim of this workshop is to create a comprehensive national profile that provides the framework for the strengthening of the National Occupational Safety and Health System, by identifying the institutional tools and activities that will facilitate effective assessment and review of the progress and impact of Occupational Safety and Health efforts in Nigeria.
“The reviewed profile constitutes an inventory of all the tools and resources available for implementing and managing Occupational Safety and Health in Nigeria; and will assist in data acquisition for record and planning purposes; and set national priorities for action and promotion of participatory Occupational Safety and Health.
“Furthermore, the workshop aims to visibly identify new tools for effective Occupational Safety and Health Management through the review and validation of the 2016 Nigeria Country Profile on Occupational Safety and Health. This requires a coordinated response whilst highlighting the roles and responsibilities of Stakeholders in the National Occupational Safety and Health Management System, and thus encouraging inter-ministerial and inter-agency involvement in Occupational Safety and Health,” the minister stated.