Goronyo Calls for Stronger Workplace Safety Culture as Stakeholders Rally Support Minister urges collective action, commends President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and is decorated as Fellow of OSHA The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, Esq., has reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening workplace safety standards in Nigeria, stressing that occupational health and safety must remain a national priority for sustainable development. Speaking at a national stakeholders’ workshop on Workplace Safety and Health held on 28th August 2025, at the Ministry's Hall, the Minister emphasized that workplace safety is not merely a regulatory duty but a shared responsibility that requires the active involvement of government, the private sector, labour unions, professional bodies, and society at large. “When safety measures and protocols are enforced, accidents reduce drastically, productivity improves, and the human development index records significant gains. Protecting human lives must be at the center of every workplace policy and practice,” Barr. Goronyo stated. The Minister acknowledged existing challenges such as weak enforcement, inadequate regulations, and low awareness, but called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to adapt global best practices to Nigeria’s realities. He commended the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) for its leadership in promoting international standards, while also applauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said “is already yielding results across all sectors.” Highlighting Nigeria’s workforce as one of the nation’s greatest assets, Goronyo warned that the loss of lives and productivity due to unsafe work environments cannot be ignored. Research, he noted, shows that organizations prioritizing workplace safety enjoy higher employee morale, reduced injuries, and improved efficiency. The workshop also featured goodwill messages from senior stakeholders: The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi (represented by the Director, Central Workshop and Equipment, Engr. Atule Isaac), stressed that workplace safety is especially critical in high-risk sectors such as construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing, as well as in the informal economy where enforcement is weak. He urged employers to treat safety as part of production costs while encouraging workers to adhere strictly to safety guidelines. He reaffirmed that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that workplace safety is upheld across all its operations and projects. Also speaking, the President of OSHAssociation UK, Nigeria Chapter, Mr. Aderemi (JP, FIMC, CMC, MCArb, FOSHA), represented by the Chairman, Council of Fellowship (OSHAssociation), Dr. Dalhatu Mohammed, described health and safety as both a moral and economic responsibility. He urged stakeholders to embrace prevention over cure, embed a safety-first culture across workplaces, and reiterated the Association's guiding principles. Rear Admiral (Rtd.) BEE Ibe-Enwo, FOSHA, Chief Technical Officer, OSHA Nigeria, highlighted alarming statistics showing that fatalities from workplace accidents rose from 71 deaths in 1997–1999 to 238 deaths between 2014–2016, underscoring the urgency of sustained action. In recognition of his exceptional leadership and advocacy, Barr. Goronyo was formally decorated as a Fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA). The prestigious honor reflects his outstanding commitment to advancing workplace safety, health standards, and the promotion of safer work environments in Nigeria. Responding to the conferment, the Minister described the fellowship as a call to greater responsibility, pledging to deepen his efforts in protecting workers’ lives, promoting safer workplaces, and ensuring that safety becomes an integral part of national development. Abdullahi Ameen Mohammed, For:  Director, Press and Public Relations 28th August, 2025 ...

Goronyo Commends Swift Rescue Response, Reaffirms FG’s Commitment to Waterway Safety The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to improving safety and rescue operations across Nigeria’s waterways following a recent boat mishap in Sokoto State, which saw a quick response from rescue agencies. The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, Esq., provided this assurance on August 25, 2025, during an interactive meeting with the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamji, and senior officials of the agency. The Minister praised NIWA and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their timely intervention, noting that their coordinated rescue efforts saved several lives and ensured the prompt recovery of victims. “The rescue efforts in Sokoto demonstrate the importance of synergy between agencies. In the previous week, NIWA and NEMA were on-site even before other responders arrived, rescuing passengers and recovering victims. This level of dedication illustrates what can be achieved when we work together in unity,” Goronyo stated. The Minister also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda, observing that the administration’s vision and policy direction continue to create a supportive framework for enhanced safety, infrastructure, and service delivery across critical sectors, including water transportation. In his remarks, NIWA’s Managing Director, Mr. Oyebamji, thanked the Honourable Minister for his leadership and assured that the agency would continue to strengthen its operations to protect lives and improve navigation safety on the waterways. He announced that the Federal Government is set to receive five new boats in the coming months, including one aluminum and one iron boat designated for deployment to Sokoto State. The NIWA Managing Director also revealed that immediate measures are being implemented to clear water hyacinth that obstructs free movement on the waterways in the region. Additionally, arrangements have been finalized for distributing life jackets to riverine communities in the coming weeks. Reaffirming the Government’s commitment, Minister Goronyo emphasized that such engagements should be sustained as an ongoing platform for collaboration rather than a “one-off meeting.” He underscored that the Federal Government remains fully dedicated to providing the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and policies to prevent casualties and ensure safe, efficient, and secure inland water transport across the nation. *Mohammed A. Ahmed*   Director, Press and Public Relations   August 26, 2025. ...

FG PREPARES FOR ANTICIPATED ABUJA–LOKOJA FLOOD GORONYO DIRECTS FERMA TO REHABILITATE LOKO–OWETO–AGATU ROAD IN NASARAWA. The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, Esq., has directed the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to immediately commence the rehabilitation of the Loko–Oweto–Agatu Road in Nasarawa State, as an alternative route for commuters. in case of the envisaged Abuja–Lokoja flooding. The directive was issued during a stakeholders’ engagement with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN),  The Minister further disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved several critical infrastructure initiatives, including the urgent rehabilitation of other strategic bridges such as the Carter Bridge, third Mainland Bridge, and Donga Bridge in Taraba State to strengthen Nigeria’s economic corridors and improve nationwide access for motorists. Speaking at the Minister’s Conference Room on Friday, 15th August 2025, Goronyo underscored the enormous workload of the Ministry, citing major routes such as Abuja–Lokoja, Abuja–Kaduna–Kano, Sokoto–Zaria, and many others across the North, South, East, and West. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, describing him as “the people’s president”, and lauded his inclusive leadership and unwavering prioritisation of infrastructure as a “key enabler of growth and development” under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He highlighted ongoing interventions, particularly the Legacy Projects, including Lagos–Sokoto, Lagos–Badagry, Lagos–Calabar, Ebonyi–Nasarawa–Abuja, and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Trans-Sahara Route, stressing that no state has been left without road maintenance or construction under the current administration. He also applauded the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FANTE, for bringing engineering excellence and dedication to the Ministry’s projects. Reaffirming the Ministry’s determination to work tirelessly in delivering modern, safe, and durable infrastructure for all Nigerians, in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Goronyo acknowledged the need for public re-orientation on road usage and enjoined the leaderships of the two associations on dedication, accountability and selfless service to the masses. “Public office is a burden, and that burden must be discharged with full accountability. There is no time for comfort zones, you must work day and night to deliver on your mandate. This is not a position for enjoyment or status, but for tireless service to Nigerians,” Goronyo stated. Speaking, the MD/CEO of FERMA, Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, outlined the agency’s core focus namely; management of the road network with priority on economic corridors and addressing issues such as vandalism and overuse; and Data Collection, Updating Nigeria’s road corridor map with traffic statistics to guide maintenance planning. This, according to the Agbasi, was supported by a technical working group tasked with preparing a draft of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The President, NARTO, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, praised President Tinubu’s initiative on the delivery of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, 5 units of 50-seater buses, 20 units of 14-seater buses, and 50 units of 50 -seater buses, which have collectively reduced transportation costs for NARTO operations by over 30%. He also remarked the impact of the Ministry’s collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in enforcing axle load limits, revealing that, effective from 1st October, no truck will be allowed to load more than 45,000 litres, a move expected to reduce road damage and extend infrastructure lifespan. Similarly, IPMAN President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, pledged full support for the Ministry’s efforts, stating "even a blind man can see this government is doing its best to keep Nigerian roads in order. We stand fully behind your work.” Queenet Iheoma-Hart, For: Director, Press and Public Relations 15th August 2025 ...