Okpebholo orders Rongtai to tighten safety after five workers die

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has directed the management of Rongtai Building Materials Nigeria Ltd. to urgently strengthen safety measures at its Utesi facility, following the deaths of five workers in separate incidents last month.

Okpebholo, who visited the company in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area yesterday, said the loss of lives underscored the need for stronger workplace safety standards and adequate emergency response facilities.

The governor also directed the company to improve security and infrastructure within its premises and deepen its corporate social responsibility to the host community.

Five workers reportedly died last month in incidents involving electrocution and a fall from a crane, with the latest death of a forklift operator triggering protests by workers, relatives and some community youths.

The protest later escalated, with part of the company’s premises reportedly set ablaze and more than 20 vehicles and motorcycles destroyed.

Describing the incident as tragic, Okpebholo said the loss of lives could not be ignored, while condemning the destruction of the company’s property.

“What happened here came to me as sad news, and the incident is condemnable. An establishment of this nature should not be attacked like this,” he said.

He urged the management to make the safety of workers a priority, stressing that adequate medical and emergency facilities could save lives in the event of workplace accidents.

“Security and safety measures should be put in place. If you had a clinic here, what happened would not have happened,” he said.

The governor expressed satisfaction that the company had commenced construction of a clinic, begun arrangements to procure an ambulance and was recruiting doctors.

He also directed the company to improve its internal road network as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“Your organisation should carry out its corporate social responsibility. There should be a good road within the premises where you carry out your business,” he said.

Okpebholo said the poor condition of some roads could create security vulnerabilities, urging the company to fix them to prevent criminals from exploiting the situation.

“For the sake of CSR, just fix the bad road to discourage hoodlums from attacking vehicles coming into your company. Criminals take advantage of bad roads to cause havoc,” he said.

The governor also disclosed that he had discussed with the state Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, the establishment of a police post within the company and provision of accommodation for officers.

“Let it be like a semi-barracks to protect the area because we have a whole community here. Having 8,000 workers here is no joke,” he said.

Okpebholo expressed regret over the loss of lives and property, noting that the company employed more than 8,000 workers and could potentially create additional employment opportunities for residents.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Huang Shibin thanked the governor for visiting the facility to obtain first-hand information about the incident.

Huang said the company had been fulfilling its corporate social responsibility obligations but alleged that some community elders had received substantial sums from the company without allowing the benefits to reach other members of the community.

He appealed to the governor to strengthen security around the company and help create a conducive environment for its operations.

Okpebholo was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea; Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Godwin Eshieshi; Edo State Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Sylvester Aigboboh; Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor and other senior government officials.