Lagos State Safety Commission: Nightclubs, Bars Not Safety Compliant

Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mrs. Dominga Odebunmi, says most of the nightclubs and bars in the state are not observing safety precautions.

In a statement on Tuesday, Odebunmi said the commission had commenced monitoring all nightclub outlets in the state.

She said the outcome of a compliance monitoring of the outlets by the commission was unbelievable.

The director-general said, “CME was carried out on 19 nightclubs and entertainment outlets, but only one was found to be safe.

“We hereby call on club owners and managers to, as a matter of urgency, create ‘safe’ escape routes among other safety signages at visible places in clubs and bars. Also, mechanical ventilation should also be provided as part of safety measures.”

Odebunmi explained that inadequate and unprofessional knowledge were the causes of such an unfortunate incident.

She said workers in the nightclubs were required to attend LSC Entertainment Safety Training, after which they would be given certificates.

She said errant nightclubs and bars operators risked closure of their businesses.

Odebunmi said Regional Approved and Safety Agents registered with the LSC were ready to assist club owners and managers that required information on how to ensure ‘Proper Safety Standards and Procedures’ at their outlets.

She reiterated the commissions resolve to ensure best safety practices always, adding, “Safety of lives or litigation is incomparable to any business profit.”

It will be recalled that the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed, at the commencement of the Events and Gatherings Safety forum had said the government would not fold its arms and watch lives and property lost due to negligence.

CULLED FROM PUNCH.