The Federal Government has shut down two factories in Ogun State for what it described as grave violations of Occupational Safety and Health standards.

The affected companies—True Metals Nigeria Limited and Phoenix Steel Mills Limited—are situated along the Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, ordered the closure on Monday during an unscheduled inspection visit to the facilities.

She was accompanied by the Director of Occupational Safety and Health, Mrs. Florence Owie, and officials of the OSH departments from Lagos and Ogun states.

Onyejeocha said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu would not condone employers who put the lives of Nigerian workers at risk under the guise of providing jobs.

At True Metals Nigeria Limited, a battery recycling plant, the minister expressed outrage over what she described as hazardous and dehumanising working conditions.

She noted that workers were exposed to unprotected lead emissions, lacked access to proper sanitation, and operated without the mandatory automation equipment—despite previous verbal warnings issued to the company.

“That you are giving our people jobs does not warrant putting their lives at risk,” she said. “We cannot say we are creating jobs while we are killing our people. There is no price for life. Every Nigerian deserves a safe and dignified working environment.”

She immediately ordered the factory sealed until it fully complies with OSH regulations.

At Phoenix Steel Mills Limited, Onyejeocha could not access the factory floor due to unsafe and impassable internal roads.

According to the statement, she observed stagnant water and a lack of drainage—conditions she said violated the Factory Act and reflected total disregard for safety.

“If the internal roads of a factory are not passable for humans, we can imagine what is inside,” she said. “Such conditions show disregard for both workers and basic safety standards.”

The facility was subsequently sealed pending remediation and a fresh compliance assessment.

Addressing journalists after the exercise, Onyejeocha warned that the ministry would intensify enforcement and would not tolerate the mistreatment or dehumanisation of Nigerian workers.

“In many factories, Nigerians are treated like they are not human beings. You take workers, pay them N3,000 or N4,000 a day, and expose them to danger. That era is over,” she said.

She vowed sustained monitoring and sanctions.

“We will continue the inspections, and if we find you wanting, we will seal your factory. If you do the right thing, you attract more investment. If you don’t, you will not operate.”

Onyejeocha reminded employers that safety regulations were non-negotiable.

“Occupational safety and health has rules. Every worker must be protected. You cannot say the economy is bad and then use that excuse to endanger lives. There are many investors who will follow the rules if given the opportunity.”

She reaffirmed that all categories of workers—skilled, unskilled, men and women—deserved dignity, fair wages and humane treatment.

“We must never create jobs that take lives. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every worker matters,” she said. (PUNCH)

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