A recognized safety expert Antonia Beri (Technical Expert @scspng), has written extensively on life and fire safety, particularly in Nigeria. She frequently discusses the importance of enforcing fire safety regulations to prevent disasters that cause loss of lives and significant economic damage. Beri emphasizes that many fire-related incidents could have been avoided with stricter compliance to safety standards and regular inspections. For instance, she has pointed out the over N3 trillion national loss to fire incidents between 2015 and 2022, which could have been minimized with better risk management and safety precautions.
Beri also advocates for the importance of pro-active risk management in business and industrial environments. She explains that businesses often neglect occupational health and safety (OHS) practices, which leads to frequent reinvestment in disaster recovery rather than growth. According to her, for every $1 invested in safety, businesses can save up to $10 by avoiding accidents and their associated costs. She also stresses the role of reliable safety equipment and the need for banks and regulators to enforce OHS compliance before approving business loans.
Her work frequently highlights the importance of collaboration between stakeholders, including government, businesses, and communities, to ensure a safer environment. Beri believes that creating a culture of safety through training, updated safety laws, and consistent inspections is key to minimizing fire hazards and improving overall public safety
