FIC Report (Abia State) – A delegation from the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations has commended the Abia State Government for its proactive steps toward strengthening safety regulation across the state.
The delegation, led by the Committee Chairman, David Idris Zakarias, made the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, at the Government House in Umuahia.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing the Abia State Safety Commission, aimed at ensuring effective regulation of safety standards in homes, offices, markets, and industries across the state.
The Governor disclosed that the process for setting up the Commission is already underway, noting that the policy has received approval from the State Executive Council and is currently awaiting legislative action for full implementation.
Governor Otti stressed that beyond creating a regulatory body, the reorientation of the public on safety consciousness remains critical to preventing disasters and safeguarding lives and property.
“What I find even more important is the reorientation of our people, letting them understand that some of their practices, especially in markets and workshops, expose them to risks rather than protect them,” the Governor said.
He noted that unsafe electrical wiring and improper storage of combustible materials remain common in many markets and workshops, warning that such practices increase the risk of fire outbreaks and other hazards.
“In some markets, you see dark-line electrical wires and combustible materials kept unsafely. We must continue to educate our people and ensure fire extinguishers are available,” he added.
The Governor further emphasized that safety regulation must cover all sectors, noting that while fire incidents are the most common emergencies, safety extends beyond fire prevention.
“Safety is all-encompassing. It’s not just about fire, though fire is the most frequent emergency here,” he said.
Governor Otti also assured the delegation that his administration intends to institutionalize the safety initiative through legislation so that future governments can sustain and build on it.
He revealed that the state currently operates more than ten fire trucks and is working towards deploying firefighting equipment across all local government areas to strengthen emergency response capacity.
While appreciating the efforts of the federal lawmakers, the Governor encouraged the Committee to promote the establishment of similar safety commissions in other states.
“This is a good initiative, and you should get other states to adopt it,” he noted, adding that the primary objective of the policy is not revenue generation but the protection of lives, property, and investments.
Earlier in his remarks, Hon. Zakarias said the Committee’s visit was part of efforts to advocate for the establishment of the Abia State Safety Commission (ASSC), noting that Lagos State currently operates a similar structure.
He explained that widespread non-compliance with safety standards has led to avoidable loss of lives and damage to businesses across the country.
“With the pace of industrial growth in Abia, there is a compelling need for a safety commission to protect citizens and investments,” he stated.
Also speaking, Health and Safety Consultant to the Committee, Iwu Finian, commended Governor Otti’s leadership and the ongoing economic transformation in the state.
He observed that Abia’s growing investments in manufacturing, construction, oil services, and agro-processing sectors make the establishment of a safety regulatory body both timely and necessary.
Dr. Finian warned that the absence of such a regulatory framework exposes citizens and businesses to health and legal risks while limiting potential revenue opportunities tied to compliance and certification.
Officials present at the meeting included the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna; the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, Cleopatra Ubani.
Abiakam Gloria Ify HOC FIC Umuahia Abia State.
February 7,2026
