Lagos - The Lagos Government has threatened to sanction owners of hotels, event centres and building contractors that failed to comply with the provisions of the state’s building laws.
Mrs Omolara Odebunmi, the Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, stated this at the first edition of Events and Gathering of Stakeholders Safety Forum, on Monday in Lagos.
Odebunmi , who was represented by his Deputy Director, Mr Hakeem Liadi, noted that the step was in line with the government’s resolve to rid the state of illegal buildings.
She warned that any defaulter of the state building code would be prosecuted.
She said that the aim of the forum was to expose executive key players in the events industry to the risks inherent in the event profession.
``The forum will serve as an avenue to introduce how to organise and manage events safely.
``Thereby setting the foundation for the appreciation of integrating Health, Safety and Environment management into event execution, `` D-G said.
Odebunmi added that the stakeholder meeting would serve as an avenue to have a round table discussion about the plans of the commission as far as event safety was concerned.
She said that there was need for every event planner, particularly in a mega city like Lagos, to prepare for the worst negative event outcome.
``These unforeseen incident cannot be overemphasised, especially with recent happenings locally and internationally, `` she said.
She said that there were lots of risks associated with the event industry, saying ``there is the need for event planners to make safety the first and last agenda in planning stage.’’
Odebunmi urged owners of event centres and places to work with the safety risk assessment in order to curb the incessant hazardous occurrences.
Mrs Tomidade Eboda, Event Safety Consultant, said that safety awareness was paramount to stakeholders.
She said that this would provide opportunity for event sponsors, organisers, contractors and employees on the need to meet the basic requirements of safety for every event and gathering.
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