The General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Kehinde Osinaike, has frowned at construction site workers living with their children on sites, saying, such children are often at risk of sexual abuse; increased risk of social exclusion; deprived access to healthcare and education.
Osinaike noted that such children face numerous dangers and are exposed to various risks that can significantly impact their health, safety, and overall development.
This living arrangement, though sometimes unavoidable due to the nature of their parents’ work, presents several hazards that should be acknowledged and addressed, he added.
During an enforcement exercise with some of the authority’s supervising directors and officials of the Monitoring and Compliance Unit, and the district offices at Eti-Osa, Lekki and environs; Osinaike urged all labourers who live on or close to construction sites to ensure adequate protection of their wards from all forms of exploitation that can harm their welfare.
According to him, children are entitled to special protection and assistance because of their vulnerability.
He therefore opined that construction site workers should put the children in the care of family members who live in a better environment instead of taking them along to different sites whenever they move from one place of work to another.
Also, he advised them to prioritise the living condition of their children and desist from exposing them to risk around construction sites.
In the same vein, the Director of Monitoring and Compliance Unit, Tpl. Iyiola Olarinde echoed that all children have the right to a better standard of living that will assist in their physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.
He further submitted that every child deserves a childhood in all its fullness, surrounded by protective families and communities, free from violence and with the opportunity to thrive as other children.
