11th March, 2024
By Adejoke Adeleye
The Ogun State Government has shut Phoenix Steel Mills Industries Limited in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government with immediate effect following gas explosion in the factory.
Commissioner for the Environment, Ola Oresanya announced the immediate closure of the Iron Rod manufacturing Industry after an on the spot assessment of the explosion area which affected almost the entire production line of the company.
Oresanya said under the rule of engagement with all the industries in the state, the state government would after this seal up do a thorough investigation on the remote and immediate causes of the explosion with a view of knowing how to prevent future occurrence.
He added that the investigation would spell out in clear terms the condition under which the company could operate so that its workers could be adequately protected as well as property of its immediate communities which were affected by the gas explosion.
Seven workers of the Industry were seriously injured in the explosion and are currently hospitalized in an hospital in nearby Ikorodu, Lagos state.
Going forward, Oresanya said in order to avoid further industrial accidents in the state, the state government would upscale and establish a Safety Desk, which would be like an Agency under the Ministry of Environment, saddled with the responsibilities of Health and Safety Matters when it comes to human and industrial activities in the state.
“This is necessary because the state government believes that preservation of lives and property starts from prevention and safety matters. So we are going to step up our game when it comes to health and safety matters, especially when it comes to industrial production and activities even in construction industries and make sure that people comply with the minimum and basic health and safety standards before they operate in the state “.
He, therefore, called on all the Community Development Associations whom he described as first responders to any accident to monitor all industries in their area for compliance.