The Federal Government has set up the Diving Governing Board to implement the provisions of the 2018 Diving at Work Regulations
Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, disclosed in Abuja this in a statement he signed, adding that Mr Julius Ugwala had been appointed as Chief Inspector of the board, adding that board members had also been ibaugurated.
He named the board to include: Mrs Lauretta Adogu , the Director of Factories, Ministry of Labour and employment , Dr Austin Okogun , the representative of the Hyperbaric Medical Practitioners Society, Commodore J.E Ake,representing the Nigerian Navy and Captain Sunday Umoren, NIMASA representative.
Others are: Mr Timothy Dagogo Minima, President of NAPROD, Mr Forcados Agadabiri representing the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), and Mr George Soberekon Bipiamina of NAPROD.
Keyamo said the board would drive the enforcement of the regulations that would restore sanity to the sector and drive a sustainable growth agenda.
“This development comes nearly two years of the Federal Executive Council approved the Diving at Work Regulation.
According to the Minister, the inauguration marked the beginning of an era in which the flagrant disregard for the safety and health status of divers would no more be condoned.
Keyamo explained the the function of the board amongst others was to furnish the sector with a code of practice to meet the global best practice.
Lamenting the poor supervision of dive operations and insufficient penalties for defaulting organisations, the Minister said the industry had been stunted by poor standards and the resultant hazards that accompanied such an anomaly.
He, however, expressed confidence in the ability of the board to better the sector, through the strict enforcement of the regulations and monitoring of the industry’s operations.
“Today’s inauguration of the Diving Governing Board, will give impetus to the emergence of the much needed specific and detailed guidance for safe use, installation, maintenance.
Other functions of the board,he said would the examination of diving programmes and operations within the country’s territorial waters, dams and other water bodies.
“The Diving Governing Board shall also guide the implementation of intervention and inspection programmes to reduce injuries, illnesses and fatalities.
” And to eliminate occupational hazards associated with the use of diving equipment.
“Pursuant to regulation 45 of the Diving at Work Regulations, the board shall have responsibility to make decisions on issues affecting the diving industry.
“And draft approved code of practice to guide on training and operational issues relating to diving, ” he further explained.
Keyamo said further that the board would advise and make recommendations to the Minister responsible for matters of labour and employment regarding any matter to which the regulations relate.
And also to conduct its work in accordance with the instructions and rules of conduct made by the Minister.
According to Keyamo, the constitution of the board followed the provisions of the regulations.
The minister, therefore, called on the members to adhere to the guidelines in carrying out their work, adding that government anticipated that their activities would foster sustainable growth in the industry.
In his inaugural speech, the Chief Inspector of Diving, Mr Julius Ugwala, congratulated the Diving Industry on the landmark development.
Ugwala commended the Federal Government for its commitment to making the industry “efficient and globally competitive.”
He said a sustained collaboration between government and critical stakeholders gave birth to the regulations which would now open up new opportunities for industry’s growth and the employment of Nigerian youths.
