***Requires N1.34 billion to Execution Comprehensive Plan
The Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled a five-year (2024-2028) strategic action plan aimed at enhancing occupational health and safety across public workplaces.
The new document, launched in Abuja by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, outlines guidelines for addressing work-related diseases, injuries, and accidents to improve employee well-being and productivity.
Prof. Pate announced that the execution of this comprehensive plan is projected to require N1.34 billion over the next five years.
He expressed optimism about the document’s potential to significantly improve occupational health and safety services in Nigeria.
According to him, the strategic plan will provide crucial guidance to the Ministry and stakeholders, fostering a safer and healthier work environment, which is anticipated to enhance national productivity by promoting consistent health standards among the workforce.
For the plan’s effective implementation, Prof. Pate emphasized the need for collaboration across various levels of government, as well as support from partners, donors, NGOs, civil society organizations, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to mobilize necessary resources.
Daju Kachallom, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted the role of the Occupational Health and Safety Division and similar state agencies in assessing health risks and conducting surveillance in both formal and informal sectors.
This effort aims to monitor workers’ health, identify potential hazards, and evaluate the work environment across workplaces nationwide.
Kachallom assured that the Ministry is committed to prioritizing the health of workers, fostering a national culture of occupational safety where everyone respects the right to a safe and healthy working environment.
This initiative calls for active participation from governments, employers, and workers to promote preventive measures and shared responsibility in maintaining safe workplaces.
The Minister appealed to all stakeholders, including the media, to support the strategic plan’s implementation and to raise awareness of the importance of workers’ well-being in the workplace.
