The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, says his administration will strengthen the enforcement of safety regulations and laws to reduce incidents of loss of lives and property.

The governor added that the incidents were usually caused by negligence and non-compliance with the safety measures put in place by the government.

Ambode spoke at the 2015 World Safety Day Celebration organised by the Lagos State Safety Commission.

He noted that in recent times, incidents of building collapse, fire disasters, boat accidents and other avoidable tragedies were becoming rampant because of people’s disregard for safety regulations.

Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor , Dr. Oluranti Adebule, called on stakeholders in public safety to rise up to the challenge of increased avoidable accidents in work places by ensuring a total compliance with safety regulations.

He said, “The time has come for stakeholders in public safety, including relevant government agencies, to rise up to this challenge. It is not enough to have regulations and standards, they must be complied with to prevent avoidable loss of lives and property.”

Ambode warned that relevant provisions of the laws would be applied against erring individuals and government officials caught in any identified case of negligence that might result in avoidable injuries or loss of lives.

Describing the theme of the celebration ─ Building a Culture of Prevention on Occupational Safety and Health ─ as appropriate, the governor noted that though accidents were realities of life, proper action and safety consciousness could reduce their frequency and the degree of fatalities when they occurred.

Earlier, the Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mrs. Dominga Odebunmi, said there had been a significant increase in public awareness for safety as a result of vigorous sensitisation and advocacy in the state.

She added that a review of the government policies on safety had helped to reduce accidents in work places.

She called on other stakeholders in the private sector to partner the state government in its safety campaign advocacy by waking up to their safety obligations by ensuring strict compliance with safety measures in work places.