The Lagos State Government has sealed eight nightclubs and event centres within Ikeja and Victoria Island respectively for various safety violations.
According to the Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, the facilities were sealed in the interest of public safety in line with the Commission’s mandate to ensure the safety of lives and properties, through achieving zero accidents in workplaces and public facilities across the State.
He explained that Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has zero tolerance for violation of safety laws and will continually monitor such facilities to ensure compliance with laid down safety laws. “Recall that at a recent meeting held in Alausa with nightclub operators and event centre owners, the Commission issued warnings to nightclub operators and event centre owners and vowed to shut clubs allowing the use of drugs and firearms”, he added.
He highlighted some of the violations committed by the sealed facilities to include allowing minors into nightclubs, turning frontages into drug sales outlets and refusing to comply with the mandated use of proper signages to convey the message of no drugs, no firearms and no underage club goers.
The General Manager admonished nightclub owners and event centre operators to respect the laws of the state as the government would not hesitate to wield the big stick on those flagrantly violating and disregarding stipulated laws as well as operational guidelines.
Mojola also implored all recreational and event centres in the state who are yet to register with the Safety Commission to do so and obtain a safety compliance certificate. He also encouraged event centres to register their events and obtain an event safety permit through the website www.lasgsafetyreg.com.
Listing some of the facilities that were in contravention as Hot Box Night Club, Shades Night Club, Buzzbar, CCX lounge and several event centres, he reiterated that enforcement exercises will continue to take place across the state as the Commission will continue to do its best in discharging her duties, especially in ensuring public safety and a safer Lagos for all.