10th September, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government has shut eight nightclubs and event centres within Ikeja and Victoria Island respectively.
The Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola disclosed that it sealed the facilities in the interest of public safety, and in furtherance of its mandate to ensure the safety of lives and properties.
He said the Commission aimed to achieve zero accidents in workplaces and public facilities.
According to him, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has zero tolerance for violation of safety laws and would continually monitor such facilities to ensure compliance with laid down safety laws.
Mojola at a meeting held in Alausa with nightclub operators and event centre owners about two months ago, issued warnings to nightclub operators and event centre owners and vowed to shut clubs allowing the use of drugs and firearms.
He decried the presence of underage persons in many nightclubs in the state, saying that it is against the law to allow the presence of minors at nightclubs.
Mojola stated that said clubs’ frontages had been turned to drug sales outlets and did not mandate the use of proper signages to convey the message of no drugs, no firearms and no underage to club goers.
He 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 the laws of the state.
Some of the facilities that were in contravention include Hot Box Night Club, Shades Night Club, Buzzbar, CCX Lounge and a number of event centres.
Mojola implored all recreational and event centres in the state who are yet to register with the Safety Commission to do so and obtain the safety compliance certificate.
He also encouraged event centre owners to obtain an event safety permit through the website www. lasgsafetyreg.com and that in addition, they should provide fire extinguishers, proper hygiene, housekeeping, use of safety signages at designated areas while ensuring adequate parking spaces are provided to curtail traffic gridlock and other safety infractions that could endanger lives and cause inconveniences to the members of the public.
Mojola reiterated that enforcement exercises will continue to take place across the state as the Commission will continue to do its best in discharging its duties, especially in ensuring public safety and a safer Lagos for all.
Some of the facilities shut by the state government were in contravention include Hot Box Night Club, Shades Night Club, Buzzbar, CCX Lounge and a number of event centres.