In a decisive move to prioritize worker safety and uphold environmental standards, the Ogun State Government has shut down four companies in response to serious industrial accidents and safety violations.
Quantum Steel Industry in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government, and Xinfeng Plastics Limited along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are among those temporarily closed due to fatal accidents and hazardous conditions that put workers’ lives at risk.
A statement from the Ogun State Ministry of Environment revealed that Quantum Steel was shut down following a deadly industrial explosion, which claimed lives, with several victims still receiving treatment in hospitals. Xinfeng Plastics was closed after a tragic electrocution incident led to the death of machine operator Ishaku Monday.
Farook Akintunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), emphasized that the closures are part of the state government’s thorough investigation process. “We are committed to conducting credible investigations, including consulting external safety experts, to uncover the root cause of these incidents,” Akintunde, also the Chairman of the State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, said.
What is particularly disheartening, Akintunde noted, is that these tragic incidents occurred despite regular government visits to educate companies on strict adherence to safety protocols. “This reinforces the need for these companies to be closed until investigations are complete and new safety measures are fully implemented,” he stated.
In addition to Quantum Steel and Xinfeng Plastics, the Ogun State Government has also shuttered Wemco Nigeria Limited in Magboro and Beautiful Fibre in Ogere.
Wemco was accused of obstructing state officials during an investigation into a community erosion dispute, while Beautiful Fibre was found guilty of exposing workers to hazardous chemicals by neglecting to provide essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), despite multiple warnings from the government.
These four companies will remain closed until they comply with safety regulations, and the government has issued a stern warning to other businesses in the state. “We will not hesitate to close down and blacklist any company found neglecting the safety of its workers, especially those on production lines,” Akintunde declared, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to worker safety and environmental compliance in Ogun State.
