Governor Otti Reaffirms Commitment to Establish Abia State Safety Commission

Umuahia, Abia State – Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing the Abia State Safety Commission (ASSC) to ensure effective regulation of safety standards across homes, offices, markets, and industries in the state.

Governor Otti made the disclosure at his office in Umuahia when he received members of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, led by its Chairman, Hon. David Idris Zakarias. He revealed that the state has already commenced the process of establishing the Commission, noting that the policy has received State Executive Council approval and awaits legislative action for full implementation.

The Governor emphasized that the initiative goes beyond establishing the Commission, highlighting the importance of public reorientation on safety practices to prevent disasters and protect lives and property.

“What I find even more important is reorienting our people, letting them understand that some of their practices, especially in markets and workshops, expose them to risks rather than protect them. In some markets, you see dark-line electrical wires and combustible materials stored unsafely. We must continue to educate our people and ensure fire extinguishers are available,” he stated.

He added, “Safety is all-encompassing; it’s not just about fire, though fire is the most frequent emergency here.” Governor Otti assured that his administration’s safety policy will be properly legislated, ensuring continuity beyond his tenure.

Noting that Abia already operates more than 10 fire trucks, he pledged to deploy firefighting equipment across all local government areas. While commending the Committee’s efforts, he urged them to encourage other states to adopt similar safety initiatives. “This is a good initiative, and you should get other states to follow suit,” he said.

Hon. Zakarias explained that the Committee’s visit aimed to propose the establishment of the ASSC, highlighting that only Lagos State currently has such a body. “Non-compliance with safety standards has negatively affected lives and businesses in Nigeria. Given the pace of industrial growth in Abia, there is a compelling need for a safety commission to protect citizens and investments,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr. Iwu Finian, Health and Safety Consultant to the Committee, commended Governor Otti’s transformative leadership and noted that the absence of a dedicated safety regulatory body exposes the public to health and legal risks while limiting potential revenue opportunities.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna; Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday; and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Barr. Cleopatra Ubani.