The Lagos State Safety Commission, has warned residents and the general public against payment into individual bank accounts other than designated government accounts.
The Director-General of the Commission, Lanre Mojola says 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.
Mr Mojola, who issued the warning on Tuesday in a statement, declared that the state government does 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.
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.
Writing by Omolara Omosanya, editing by Daniel Adejo