The Ogun State Government has shut down four companies over industrial accidents and safety violations, including fatalities and hazardous working conditions.
Quantum Steel Industry in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Council, and Xinfeng Plastics Limited along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were shut following incidents that resulted in deaths.
An industrial explosion at Quantum Steels left fatalities and some victims hospitalised, while Xinfeng Plastics was closed after a machine operator, Ishaku Monday, was electrocuted.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) and Chairman of the State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, Alhaji Farook Akintunde, said the government’s decision was to enable thorough investigations into the incidents.
“As a government, we are determined to conduct credible and diligent investigations, including involving external safety experts, to determine the causes of these incidents and prevent future occurrences,” Akintunde said.
He criticised the companies for failing to prioritise safety despite regular visits and education on safety
procedures by the state government.
He added that the two companies would remain shut until investigations were concluded and new safety protocols were implemented.
Akintunde also warned other companies to ensure the safety of workers, especially those on production lines, stating that erring companies would not only face closure but could also be blacklisted.
Meanwhile, two other companies, Wemco Nigeria Limited in Magboro and Beautiful Fibre in Ogere, both along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, were also closed. Wemco was sanctioned for obstructing state officials investigating an erosion dispute with its host community, while Beautiful Fibre was shut down for failing to provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) despite repeated warnings.
Both companies will remain closed until they comply with government safety directives.
