Press Releases

Lagos to Enact Law to Compel Barbers to Use Sterilisers for Patrons

Feb 21, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday hinted of plans to put in place a law to compel all barbers and hairdressers operating in the State to sterilize tools of operation before providing services to members of the public.

Governor Fashola made the disclosure while flagging off the first HIV and Aids sensitization programme organized by the Lagos State Action Committee Against Aids and distribution of sterilizing units to barbers in the state at the Eko FM MULTI PURPOSE HALL in Ikeja.

He said when the law becomes fully operational, it would become an offence for any head dresser or barber to provide services to members of the public without sterilizing the tools to be used and the law would also expect members of the public to insist on being attended to with only sterilized items.

He added that the state Government is going a step forward by ensuring that the barbers are empowered with the provision of sterilizing sets to the barbers so that the campaign to get the barbers to use the items would be meaningful.

He also promised to ensure that additional sterilizing sets are procured by the administration for distribution to all barbers in the state so that the state can genuinely fight the prevalence of HIV in the state.

While reiterating the fact that a cure has not been found for the HIV scourge, he reminded everyone that the government cannot afford to allow the barbers to make money at the expense of the people's lives and well being.

Governor Fashola who attributed the initiative of the programme to the First Lady of the State, Mrs Abimbola Fashola appealed to corporate organizations to buy into the programme by donating sterilization units as the state boasts of over 40,000 barbers.

He also charged corporate organizations offering sales promotions to consider using sterilizing items as gifts and prizes which could be won by members of the public towards ensuring that as many barbers as possible get the items for use.

He assured hairdressers who have not benefited from the first 1000 sets provided, that they would also get their own set of sterilization units in order to ensure the safety of their patrons.

Fashola lamented that it was regrettable that Nigeria is still a nation of consumers and not producers ,urging all entrepreneurs to put on their thinking cap to ensure that items like the sterilizing units are produced locally.

He further stated that such a measure would not only create jobs for several of our youths who could take up marketing and merchandising such items but that it would make accessibility more easier for everyone, since taking care of the head is a must for both male and female.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive officer of Lagos State Aids Control Agency (LSACA) Dr (Mrs) Adetokunbo Dabiri had informed the hairdressers that they must not feel neglected as their sterilizing units would soon be given to them in another phase of the programme.

Also contributing the The President of the Association of Lagos State Barbers, Mr Udi Matthew commended the state government fior its gesture towards the association members promising that the items would be judiciously utilise.