The government of Ogun State has taken the decision to close down Quantum Steel Industry in Ogijo and Xinfeng Plastics Limited along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway indefinitely. This action comes after two separate industrial accidents that took place at these factories. The closures are necessary to allow for a thorough investigation into the causes of these incidents.
The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Environmental Protection Agency, who also chairs the State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, explained that the shutdown aims to prevent any future accidents. The government is committed to conducting comprehensive investigations with the help of external safety experts to ensure public safety.
Both companies will remain closed until investigations are completed, and appropriate safety measures are implemented. The government also warned other companies in the state to prioritize the safety of their workers, especially those involved in production lines, or face similar consequences.
Additionally, two other companies were shut down for breaching safety standards and obstructing government officials from carrying out their duties. Wemco Nigeria Limited and Beautiful Fibre must comply with safety directives before they can resume operations.
In a related incident, an industrial accident at Quantum Steel resulted in injuries to seven individuals, including two expatriates. The Ogun State Police are investigating the incident, which occurred due to a machine blast. The injured parties are receiving treatment at Rolayo Hospital in Ikorodu.
Furthermore, a tragic electrocution incident at Xinfeng Plastics Limited led to the death of a machine operator named Ishaku Monday. The state government expressed condolences for this loss and emphasized the importance of ensuring workplace safety to prevent such incidents.