The Lagos State Government’s Safety Commission and the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) have commenced discussions with stakeholders on the enforcement of mandatory insurance on public buildings in the state.
This latest effort is the sequel to the initiative taken by the last administration of Lagos State and the Computer Warehouse group.
The compulsory insurance on public buildings also called, Owners Occupiers’ Liability is expected to cover various public buildings such as event centers, cinemas, schools, and hospitals. Others include worship places, restaurants, and bakeries.
The engagement was aimed at seeking support for the initiative to domesticate the Federal Government law on compulsory insurance on public buildings.
National newswire, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Mr. Lanre Mojola, unveiled the fresh plan at a Stakeholders Conference organized by the commission and the NIA with the theme: Lagos State Digital Compulsory Insurance (Public Buildings) for Lagos State Government.
Mojola said that the state government thought it necessary to implement statutory insurance for the benefit of all its residents to ensure the safety of lives and property”. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and statistics, as carried out by the commission, have revealed that over 480 buildings nationwide have collapsed within the last 44 years. This is the data we recorded, imagine so much more that was not recorded.”
Mojola maintained that the state government would ensure that everyone is protected in the state and safe when using public places, adding that in case of unfortunate incidents, the government must also ensure that the victims are covered by insurance or compensated where the death occurred.
He said, “Now that we have identified the problem, we have begun engagement, then we will educate the public on the need to key into the implementation of the law before we begin enforcement and sanction after the law is fully in place.
Safety Commission has the mandate to issue Safety Compliance Certificate to owners of buildings and this will only be issued after the Owner Occupiers certificate issued by an insurance company is presented.’
The Director-General, NIA, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, appreciated the current administration in Lagos state for its effort to make the initiative happen, adding that the state had been at the forefront of domestication of the federal law on compulsory insurance, with engagement for the implementation of the Owner Occupiers insurance on for over a year.
Ilori stated, “NIA has taken a step forward to digitalize the purchase of Occupiers Liability insurance at the comfort of your home and at a pocket-friendly price.
“Occupiers Liability is not about IGR or profit for the insurance companies but safety for all. Insurance would not prevent unfortunate events from happening but would provide succor to the affected and an avenue to bounce back.
“We need your support, as this is not about the punitive measure but partnering to ensure that we are all our brothers’ keepers. It is not about making business a liability but about sustainability.”
