Edo State Gov. Monday Okpebholo has tasked the management of Rongtai Building Materials Nigeria Ltd. on strengthening its safety measures to protect the lives of its staff and workers.
The governor, during a visit to the company’s premises in Utesi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, commended its investment in Edo and urged the management to remain committed to its corporate social responsibility to the host community.
Recall that a total of five workers had died in the company last month, with others reportedly dying from electrocution and falling off a crane.
The crisis that broke out led workers, relatives and some community youths razing a section of the firm, including over 20 vehicles and motorcycles, following the death of the forklift operator.
According to Governor Okpebholo, “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.
“The protest was triggered by the anger over the death of a young man who was a staff member of this company. Our culture values life and prosperity, and I advise you to ensure the safety of your staff”.
He said, “Security and safety measures should be put in place. If you had a clinic here, what happened would not have happened.”
The governor expressed satisfaction that the company was already building a clinic, had commenced the process of purchasing an ambulance and was recruiting doctors.
“Your organisation should carry out its corporate social responsibility. There should be a good road within the premises where you carry out your business.
“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.
“As a government, we are sorry for the loss of lives and property. I am glad that you have over 8,000 workers here, and I believe you will employ more,” Okpebholo said.
The governor said he had discussed with the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, the need to establish a police post at the company and provide 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.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Huang Shibin commended the governor for visiting the facility to obtain first-hand information about the incident.
He said the organisation had been fulfilling its corporate social responsibility but alleged that some elders in the community had received large sums of money from the company without allowing the benefits to reach other members of the community.
Huang appealed to the governor to help improve security around the company and create a friendly and conducive environment for the business to thrive.
Top government officials who accompanied Okpebholo to the meeting with the management of Rongtai Building Materials Nigeria Ltd. included 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, and Edo State Commissioner of Police Patrick Daaor, among others.
