LASG REITERATES COMMITMENT TO SAFETY IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Hakeem Dickson has reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Safety Commission to the safety of lives and property, particularly in the hospitality industry, being a significant contributor to the economic growth of the State.
Speaking on Friday at the maiden edition of the Stakeholders’ meeting of hotels/hospitality industry organised by Safety Experts, in conjunction with the Lagos State Safety Commission, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Dickson explained that the Commission as a proactive agency will continue to exercise its mandate to make safety a culture and lifestyle in Lagos.
He said that the Agency noted the recent avoidable incidents such as grievous injury, death and colossal loss of lives in the hospitality industry, saying the occurrences could have been avoided if adequate measures were put in place by operators in the business.
The Director-General said that the Commission will not hesitate to exercise its powers by prosecuting operators who flout safety regulations and decried the situation where owners of businesses do not put adequate measures in place to protect the patrons as well as the employees in the course of carrying out their daily routines at work.
Dickson listed some of the needed safety measures to include adequate insurance for the facility, the employees as well as visitors and patrons to the facility, comprehensive safety plan, wearing of protective equipment, safety signage, smoke detectors, safety briefings, muster point (in case of fire) and fire drills amongst others.
He also revealed that the Commission intends to publish the names of Hotels and Events Centers which do not comply with safety measures for public information.
He said the Agency will continue to engage stakeholders in order to ensure synergy as well as be on the same page on safety issues, stressing that the Commission is more interested in the safety of lives and property.
Responding, the President, Hotel Owners and Managers Association, HOMA, Chief Samuel Alabi applauded the efforts of the Commission to carry stakeholders along by coming together to discuss instead of wielding the big hammer.
He said that the forum is an avenue for them to air their grievances, their pains and contribute to the success story of Lagos, adding that the association is conscious of the need to maintain safety and seek for the comfort of their guests and visitors as well as the safety of workers.
The Managing Director of Safety Experts, Mrs. Debbie Windele, also explained that over 2,000 Hotels in the State were audited and findings revealed that virtually all of them do not comply with safety standards and guidelines.
She noted that the hotels are like a second home to lots of people, therefore their clients have the right to be safe while residing in any hotel in the State.