The Managing Director of Okomu Oil Palm Company, Benin, Dr Graham Heifer, says the company spends about N100 million annually on health, security and environmental safety of its staff.
Heifer, spoke at the company’s 2017 Health, Security and Environmental Awareness Day held at its premises in Okomu, in Udo, Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.
The awareness day had as its theme, ‘A healthy environment begins with me; safety today, safety always.’
The managing director said that the health, environmental safety and security of members of staff of a company should not be compromised, hence, the huge spending.
“We set aside so much to ensure the company continually meets the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) safety compliance order,’’ Heifer said.
He said, the company spends about N2.5 million quarterly for the maintenance of its national and international health safety compliance status.
“We spend additional N25 million annually for environment safety compliance.
“On top of this, the company spends about N70 million on personal protective equipment for all members of staff, as part of our safety compliance policy,’’ the managing director said.
According to him, the spending is seen as a great investment to prevent loss of lives and to minimize accidents in the work place because safety is paramount.
He said that, aside spending much to enhance safety, regular environmental safety impact assessment of the company was conducted.
“Management will not accept that our safety obligation is compromised,’’   Heifer said.
Mr Afekhia Tajudeen, Senior Environment Officer, Ministry of Labour, said any organisation that neglected the health condition and environmental safety of its staff was not fit to remain in business.
“My department monitors and is interested in the absolute best safety practice compliance in any organisation.
“This must start with the organisation’s awareness safety campaign like the one we are having now, “ he said.