The Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) Free Zone has broken new ground by becoming the first company in the whole of West Africa to be awarded the International Organization Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 and 45001:2018+14001:2015 certifications.
LADOL’s ISO 9001:2015 certification was achieved after a rigorous and transparent audit process conducted by Bureau Veritas while ISO 45001:2018+14001:2015 was conducted by RINA between December 10 -14, 2018.
This certification not only shows that LADOL’s success is built on hard work, consistency, long-term planning and sustainable business practices, but has also proven that Nigerian companies can lead the way and exceed international standards.
Being the first company in Nigeria to achieve the new ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management certification and the only one to have both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001:2018, has placed LADOL among an elite category of companies which are internationally recognised for best practices.
According to ISO, achieving 9001:2015 certification means that an organization has demonstrated customer focus, leadership, innovation of people, systematic approach to management, continual improvement, factual approach to decision-making and mutually beneficial supplier relations.
Commenting on this, Amy Jadesimi, managing director of LADOL, attributed the new feet to the hard work and dedication of LADOL staff. “Many staff members worked long hours, and everyone was enthusiastic and collaborative.
According to her, obtaining the certifications was part of LADOL’s long-term plan, which its management will continue to improve on every year to exceed international standards.
Jadesimi, who said that Nigerian companies are very well placed to take the lead in several areas, leveraging off the nation’s huge untapped and under-served market, added that having strong quality and safety standards is a must in business.
“United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals also provide a template on which we can build new business policies, procedures and models that are most likely to be highly profitable in the medium to long-term,” she added.
The newest version of the ISO 9001 certification contains key updates including an emphasis on risk-based thinking to enhance the application of the process approach, improved applicability for services and increased leadership requirements.
ISO 45001 targets reduction of occupational injuries and diseases. The standard is based on OHSAS 18001, conventions and guidelines of the International Labour Organization including ILO OSH 2001, and national standards.
AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
