As the world celebrates this year’s Safety Day, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has expressed the agency’s commitment to achieving globally acceptable safety standards.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, said this in a statement by Mr Osagie Edward, Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, in Lagos on Sunday.
According to the statement, Jamoh made this known at a safety workshop with the theme: “Zero offshore incidents, a culture of prevention”, organised by the agency to mark the 2023 World Safety Day.
Jamoh was represented at the occasion by the Head, Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards Department of the Agency, Mr Taiwo Olaniyan.
“This is in line with the International Labour Organisation, (ILO) declared theme of “A safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work,” he said.
Jamoh, who declared the workshop open, noted that NIMASA with responsibilities of Flag and Port State activities, which often took place offshore, was committed to the wellbeing of its staff.
“As a regulator of safety in the maritime sector, the agency is obligated to ensure not only the safety of those who work in the wider maritime sector, but also the safety of its staff.
“Safety, like charity, should begin at home and we are committed to achieving safety standards acceptable globally,” he said.
He stated further that the theme of the 2023 World Safety Day provoked a response from every economic sector to ask the question on how to practically and rightly implement the workers right to safety at work place.
The presentation on “Zero Offshore Incidents, a Culture of Prevention” organised for the agency’s enforcement team highlighted the responsibilities of both workers and employers in attaining a healthy and safe work environment for zero incidents particularly during offshore operations.
In June 2022, the International Labour Conference (ILC) included “a safe and healthy working environment” in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work.
This global social milestone elevates prevention of ill health, injuries and harm to the environment from codes of practices to an international human right.
