Wale Akinselure
The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of three factories in Ogijo, Ogun State, over violations of occupational safety and health standards.
The affected firms are African Refractory and Allied Products Limited, African Non-Ferrous Industries Limited, and Metalworld Recycling Limited.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, gave the directive on Wednesday during an inspection of the facilities alongside officials of the ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Department.
Onyejeocha said the action followed the companies’ failure to comply with earlier safety directives issued by the ministry.
She expressed concern over reports of worker deaths linked to exposure to hazardous substances at African Refractory and Allied Products Limited, noting that the company continued operations despite a prohibition notice.
“We cannot claim to be creating jobs while endangering the lives of workers. There is no price for human life,” she said.
The minister disclosed that the companies had been issued warnings and given ample time to address safety concerns but failed to take corrective measures.
“They were duly notified and cautioned. Our officials had earlier inspected these facilities and outlined the required standards, including proper maintenance of factory premises. However, they failed to comply,” she said.
Onyejeocha described the working conditions at the facilities as hazardous, citing the exposure of workers to harmful substances without adequate protective equipment.
“Workers were seen handling dangerous materials with bare hands. The environment is heavily polluted with dust. These conditions are unacceptable,” she added.
She noted that similar violations were observed at African Non-Ferrous Industries Limited and Metalworld Recycling Limited, including poor handling of hazardous materials and disregard for safety protocols.
According to her, the companies had been directed to evacuate hazardous materials and improve workplace safety but failed to act.
The minister warned that the government would not tolerate negligence that endangers workers’ lives, adding that the affected firms would face sanctions in line with existing laws.
“Safety is not optional; it is a legal requirement. Any company that operates outside approved standards will be sanctioned,” she said.
Onyejeocha also cautioned companies against altering their operational processes without proper certification and regulatory approval.
“Standards guide every process. No operator is permitted to change the nature of operations without due approval,” she said.
She added that the government was reviewing occupational safety regulations to strengthen enforcement and ensure stiffer penalties for violations.
“If existing sanctions are inadequate, we will strengthen them. There must be consequences for actions that lead to loss of lives,” she said.
The minister emphasised that ensuring workplace safety is a collective responsibility among regulatory agencies.
“There is no room for compromise when it comes to protecting workers. Where there are infractions, appropriate action will be taken,” she added.
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