{“data”:{“os”:”ios”,”region”:”NG”,”product”:”vicut”,”client_key”:”aw889s25wozf8s7e”,”source_platform”:”mobile_1″,”source_type”:”vicut”,”appVersion”:”16.5.0″,”editType”:”image_edit”,”pictureId”:”2D3DD317-1F55-4D9E-B466-3088A0EB8A49″,”capability_name”:”capcut_image_smart_lighting,capcut_photo_editor”,”enterFrom”:”home_draft”},”tiktok_developers_3p_anchor_params”:”{“region”:”NG”,”pictureId”:”2D3DD317-1F55-4D9E-B466-3088A0EB8A49″,”source_platform”:”mobile_1″,”product”:”vicut”,”os”:”ios”,”client_key”:”aw889s25wozf8s7e”,”source_type”:”vicut”,”appVersion”:”16.5.0″,”enterFrom”:”home_draft”,”editType”:”image_edit”,”capability_name”:”capcut_image_smart_lighting,capcut_photo_editor”}”,”source_type”:”vicut”}
The Federal Government on Wednesday sealed three factories in Ogijo Industrial axis of Ogun State over persistent safety violations, with Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the minister of State for Labour and Employment, warning that negligence by operators is fuelling unreported worker deaths and could attract stiffer sanctions, including possible jail terms.
The affected facilities, African Refractory and Allied Products (ARAP), African Non-Ferrous Industries Limited, and Metalworld Recycling Limited, were found to be manually processing used and condemned batteries into lead ingots, an operation considered highly dangerous due to toxic exposure risks, without adequate safety controls or automation.
They were shut down during an inspection led by the minister following repeated failure to comply with safety directives issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Vedanta Metal Industries Limited, which was also inspected, was not sealed after authorities confirmed that it had commenced the automation of its operations and provided assurances of timely completion.
Onyejeocha expressed shock that despite formal notifications, the affected factories had failed to implement any corrective measures.
Read also: Labour minister, Onyejeocha, hails Lagos for setting example in workplace safety
“The truth of the matter is that they don’t care about people’s lives. People are dying, and the numbers are increasing on a daily basis, unaccounted for,” she said.
The minister cited multiple incidents of fatalities linked to unsafe factory conditions, noting that many deaths go unreported.
According to her, the ministry had issued warnings and conducted inspections, identifying hazards such as excessive industrial dust and poor facility maintenance. However, operators allegedly ignored directives, sometimes falsely claiming compliance.
“We are swimming in dust, and they say they have complied. How?” she queried, stressing that basic requirements such as proper paving and safe working environments were neglected.
Onyejeocha confirmed that the closures were part of enforcement measures after due notice, adding that further sanctions would follow in line with existing laws.
“There will be sanctions. All the activities we are doing here come with consequences,” she said.
The minister disclosed that the government is reviewing existing occupational safety laws to introduce stricter penalties for violations, including the possibility of criminal liability.
“If the sanctions are not commensurate with the offences, we will amend them. The death penalty will not be ruled out,” she said, referring to ongoing work on the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) bill currently under review.
Onyejeocha further criticised some operators for bypassing regulatory procedures, particularly in cases where factories change production processes, such as switching from lead to aluminium, without proper approval and safety checks.
Addressing concerns about overlapping oversight between federal and state agencies, including the Ogun State environmental authorities, the minister dismissed suggestions of institutional conflict but warned against regulatory compromise.
“There is no conflict. We should complement each other. But if standards are compromised, we will not accept it,” she said.
She added that the ministry would intensify enforcement nationwide, declaring what she described as an “emergency” on occupational safety and health compliance.
