By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards have gained success in reconciliation of the three opposing groups within the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON).
In a press briefing in Abuja, Chairman of the Committee on Safety, Standards, and Regulations, Rep. Suleiman Gumi, stressed that the reconciliation was crucial for improving safety conditions across Nigeria.
The Chairman also explained that the committee allowed all parties to present their views, resulting in resolutions aimed at uniting the factions, and that all groups were given equal opportunities to air their grievances, culminating in a final meeting where reconciliation was achieved.
“As a result of this meeting, a Caretaker Committee (CTC) has been set up. The committee is tasked with organizing a conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) to elect new executives for ISPON as one unified body. The national leaders of the institute have happily endorsed this decision, symbolizing a fresh start for ISPON. Present here with me are members of the CTC, including past presidents and notable figures who have contributed to ISPON in various ways”, Gumi said.
The chairman further disclosed that ISPON plans to hold a unification conference in Abuja from October 17th to 19th, 2024.
He added, “I am here to inform you about the upcoming unification conference and AGM. ISPON was established in 2014 by an Act of the National Assembly, but leadership disagreements following the 2016 elections led to a division into three factions, slowing down the institute’s activities. Despite intervention efforts from various bodies like the Inspector General of Police, the American Society of Safety Professionals, and others, the issues persisted.
“To address this, the National Assembly established a Committee on Safety Standards, which prioritized resolving ISPON’s divisions for the good of promoting safety in Nigeria.”
Rep. Gumi urged all employers of labour in Nigeria to note that from October 19th, new ISPON executives will be in charge, and only certifications issued by this new body will be valid.
“From that point onward, all Health and Environmental Safety (HES) practitioners must obtain ISPON’s new certification to practice, as required by the ISPON Act of 2014. A revalidation process will occur, and new certificates will be distributed. We call on all stakeholders to support this unity process,” Gumi stated.
The Committee also advised all safety professionals to obtain the new ISPON certification to continue practicing in the country.
According to him, the establishment of the Caretaker Committee was aimed at ensuring that a unified ISPON executive was in place after the conference.
Gumi therefore emphasized that all parties had embraced the reconciliation in a positive and celebratory spirit. He however, cautioned that anyone attempting to disrupt the process for personal interests would face consequences.
The unification conference is set for October 17th to 19th, 2024, in Abuja, and all relevant practitioners are required to participate in the new certification process.
He concluded by highlighting the importance of cooperation from all stakeholders and assured that ISPON would soon return to its rightful position as a leading safety body in Nigeria.
Former ISPON President, Shaw Fregene, who was instrumental in creating the bill that established the institute, attributed the crisis to personal interests.
He explained that disagreements over leadership arose in 2016, when certain members felt the leadership was no longer adhering to the rules of the institute.
“Once your two-year tenure is over, you should go for re-election. How can someone remain in office for six years without a mandate? That was the issue. Some individuals wanted to turn leadership into a personal property, which is wrong,” Fregene stated.
Similarly, former ISPON Secretary, Iyenoma Osazee, emphasized the benefits of being an ISPON member and noted that the crisis opened the door to unprofessional practices.
“In South Africa, foreign qualifications alone do not permit one to practice. You still need to go through their process. Here, however, the situation deteriorated, and unqualified individuals began to dominate the space. This misinterpretation of the law is what brought us here,” Osazee explained.
In closing, the Institute called on sponsors to support its upcoming conference.