The House of Representatives Committee on Safety, Standards and Regulations, has accused the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment of superintending over the under reporting of factory accidents in the country.
The committee gave its verdict at an interactive meeting with stakeholders, where it quizzed the Department of Health and Safety of the ministry, which was responsible for inspecting factories in the country to ensure standards and safety of occupiers.
The committee observed that the department would have done better as an agency under the ministry, or even a Commission, hence, the resolve to present the department for upgrading to enhance effectiveness.
The committee noted that in a year, only 250 accidents were reported with only five prosecution entered by the department against defaulting organizations.
It further regretted that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the department, which stood at about N25million per annum, was very poor, because the department failed in its duties to comprehensively regulate the activities of factories and mete out adequate sanctions as required by law.
In her defence, the director of the department, Adogu Lauretta, said that they were still operating obselete laws which stipulated very low fees to be charged for certification and fines.
She emphasized the need to have the factory Act and other laws amended, to bring activities in the sector to terms with today’s realities.
On the low number of prosecution, the director said that prosecution was the last option, as the processes ranged from caution to warning, prohibition from work, and where the organization adjusts to meet regulatory demands, there would be no needs for prosecution.
