The Lagos State Safety Commission, has warned residents and the general public against payment into individual bank accounts other than designated government accounts, saying that the warning became imperative in view of reported cases of impersonators parading themselves as Consultants or officials of the Commission, thus extorting unsuspecting members of the public.
The Director-General of the Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, who issued the warning on Tuesday in a statement, declared that the state government do not operate individual accounts and that anyone being asked to pay money into such accounts should know that the agents or officials do not represent the Commission.
Mr. Mojola announced that the Safety Commission had put in place stringent measures to curb the activities of some compromised consultants, including the termination of the contract of those found wanting, institution of legal actions against impersonators and the recent imprisonment of a particular impersonator for a number of years.
According to Mr Mojola, all Lagos Safety Commission Consultants have authorized identification cards which must always be worn whenever they are carrying out audit or inspections.
He called on members of the public to report promptly to the government, the activities of unscrupulous officials, consultants and those impersonating them through its hotline 07000SAFETY and 08181002233.
Mr Mojola listed the responsibilty of the Safety Commission to include issuance and withdrawal of overall safety compliance certificates, conduct and review of risk assessment reports, investigations on safety issues and making recommendations where necessary as well as coordinating all government matters relating to the safety of lives and properties in Lagos State.
Other activities, he said, include formulation of policies, providing advisory as the regulatory body on safety-related issues; coordinating and monitoring the activities of relevant organizations involved in safety services ; appointment of consultants when required to enable the Commission to carry out its functions under the provision of the law and fostering and maintenance of effective interaction, networking, and collaboration on safety issues with relevant government agencies.