The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkiru Onyejiosha, has taken swift action to shut down a metal manufacturing company, ‘Gbara’, located near Sotubo in the Sagamu local government area of Ogun State. This decision comes as a result of the company’s failure to provide adequate protective gear for its workers, despite multiple warnings from the Occupational Safety and Health department of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Onyejiosha expressed her disappointment at the company’s refusal to comply with national laws and ensure the safety of its workforce. She visited the factory personally at around 2 pm and emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will not tolerate any practices that compromise the health of Nigerian citizens.
The Minister stated, “After being informed of the situation at this company, I instructed my staff to come here and enforce the law. Given that they deal with lead, which is highly harmful, I emphasized the importance of proper cleaning and ensuring that workers are properly equipped to prevent unnecessary endangerment. However, I received reports that the company disregarded our advice.”
“I decided to come in person from Abuja to witness the situation for myself, and what I found was even worse than described. It was completely unacceptable. I have never seen such irresponsibility from any manufacturer. They claim that their practices are better, but President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will not tolerate this illegal behavior. Nigeria should not be treated as a dumping ground for those seeking cheap labor and disregarding the safety of our people.”
During her visit, Onyejiosha observed workers handling materials without wearing protective gear such as boots or helmets. She expressed her disappointment in the company and stated that it will remain prohibited until the management demonstrates their commitment to operating within the laws of the land.
The Minister concluded, “President Tinubu’s government vehemently opposes such sharp practices. Those unwilling to abide by our country’s regulations are free to cease operations and leave. They must stop subjecting our people to dehumanizing conditions in the name of employment.”
