Ogun govt orders company to suspend operation after worker’s death

By Abiodun Lawal

Ogun Ministry of Environment has ordered a company, Kan Steel Holdings Nigeria Ltd., Sagamu, to suspend operations immediately, following the death of a worker identified as Abdulfatai Nuru in an operational accident.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Kafayat Lawal, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abeokuta, identifying the deceased worker as Abdulfatai Nuru.

According to the statement, the directive followed an on-site assessment and preliminary investigations by personnel of the Safety Office of the Ogun state Ministry of Environment.

Lawal said preliminary findings indicated possible lapses in workplace safety.

The Permanent Secretary added that that a comprehensive investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

She noted that the government, through the ministry, had directed the company to suspend operations pending the conclusion of the investigation and further directives.

“As a precautionary measure, the state government, through the ministry of environment, has therefore directed the facility to stop operations with immediate effect.

“The government is extending condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased and assuring the public that the incident will be thoroughly investigated,” she said.

She further stated that appropriate regulatory actions would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

Lawal reaffirmed the Ogun government’s commitment to enforcing workplace safety standards across the state, stressing that workers’ lives remain non-negotiable.

She urged industries to fulfill their obligations by implementing effective safety measures and comply strictly with applicable regulations to prevent avoidable workplace accidents.

(NAN)