The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the persistent failure to adhere to safety standards in the diving sector, revealing that six divers have lost their lives in the past two years due to unsafe practices.
The Chief Inspector of Diving in Nigeria, Julius Ugwala, disclosed this alarming statistic during an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the Hyperbaric Medical Practitioners Society of Nigeria’s Annual General Meeting in Port Harcourt.
Ugwala, who highlighted the severity of the challenges faced by the diving sector, attributed the fatalities to the failure to adhere to safety measures.
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He emphasized the tendency of individuals to cut corners, leading to negative consequences.
According to him, last year four divers were lost, and this year, two more were lost due to unsafe acts and a lot of them are medically challenged because of these unsafe acts.
The Chief Inspector of Diving also addressed historical issues of racism in the industry, noting a gradual shift away from favoring expatriates over indigenous divers.
He called on International Oil Companies to prioritize safety in their operations and ensure equal opportunities for both expatriates and local divers to prevent violence and create a harmonious working environment.
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