The Ministry of Steel Development in Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring the safety of workers in the iron and steel industry. The Ministry is actively working to protect workers in workplaces from potential hazards and reduce work-related injuries, diseases, and ill health.
At a safety workshop organised by the Metallurgical Inspectorate & Raw Materials Development (MI&RMD) Department for stakeholders in the steel and metal sector, Dr. Mary Ogbe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, emphasised that the workshop marks the beginning of engagements with industry operators following the establishment of the Ministry of Steel Development.
“The Workshop is first in the series of engagements with industry operators following the creation of the Ministry of Steel Development,” stated Dr. Ogbe.
Representing Dr. Ogbe, Mr. Mohammed Kabir, the Director of Human Resources Management, highlighted that the workshop aims to promote safety awareness and compliance with safety guidelines in the metal sector of the country.
The theme of the workshop, ‘Industrial Health and Safety Concerns in the Steel and Other Metals Sector in Nigeria,’ aligns with the Ministry’s mandate to ensure optimum safety and zero harm in the metals sector. Mr. Kabir stressed the crucial role of safety in the prosperity and development of the steel and metal industry.
“Without being safe and in good health while operating in the metals and Steel sector, the enormous prospects in the sector would not be achieved,” he added.
Emphasising the essential nature of safety, Mr. Kabir urged all participants to embrace the critical principle of “Safety First, Safety Always” for the well-being of workers and the continuity of business operations.
He disclosed that the Ministry is resolutely committed to achieving zero harm, including zero accidents, near misses, first aid incidents, hazards, unsafe acts, and unsafe conditions in the workplace. The aspiration of achieving zero harm is not merely an ambitious goal but a necessary and attainable objective for every organisation. The emphasis was on prioritising safety measures to ensure the safe return of every worker home daily.
Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, represented by Mr. Shittu Hussain, Deputy Director of the Environmental Assessment Department, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Steel Development for organising the Safety Workshop. He highlighted the mandate of the Ministry of Environment to protect the Nigerian environment by ensuring that operations are carried out with due regard to environmental safety.
The Director-General/CEO of the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA) Kaduna, Mr. Kolawole Ogunbiyi, underscored the timeliness and significance of the workshop in light of the Federal Government’s plans to revitalize the steel sector. He applauded the initiative to hold an industrial health and safety workshop, deeming it a commendable and opportune decision.
Furthermore, the President of the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye, represented by Lekan Edunjobi, endorsed the workshop’s theme, emphasizing the paramount importance of prioritising the wellbeing of the workforce and preventing workplace hazards.
Mr. Frederick Ewa, the Director of the Metallurgical Inspectorate and Raw Materials Development (MI&RMD) Department, stressed that ensuring safe working procedures is crucial to achieving the Presidential Mandate in the Steel Sector. Particularly, he urged employers to prioritize the health and safety of their employees in the steel and metals industry, as unsafe practices could result in devastating consequences for workers and the nation at large.
The workshop’s goal is to ensure that every operation and process in the metal industry is accident-free, addressing the myriad risks that workers face in their roles.
