The Lagos State Government has called on property owners and developers to desist from using children as labourers at construction sites.
The General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, Kehinde Osinaike in a statement on Sunday, made the call while speaking on the report of an enforcement exercise carried out by the Monitoring and Compliance Unit of LASPPPA, maintaining that the trend is common in most construction sites across the state.
He said, “I call on property owners and developers to desist from using children as labourers at their construction sites. This is tantamount to child abuse and the authority frowns at this despicable act.
“Child abuse and exploitation have negative effects on children and such practices deprive the children of their childhood, apart from subjecting them to strenuous work that is also mentally, physically, socially, and morally harmful to their well-being.
“Property owners and developers in the state should always seek the services of experienced professionals in the built sector before embarking on any projects against using quacks.”
On his part, the Director, Monitoring and Compliance Unit, Iyiola Olarinde, also advised employers to be cognisant of security and safety at construction sites
“Apart from the child-labourer issue, there is also a need to be security conscious about those engaged to work on sites. Employers should also get detailed information, particularly about where they live and their next-of-kin and they should ensure that all employees at construction sites make use of appropriate safety kits including helmets, safety boots and reflective jackets among others,” he said.