Edo investigates employee fatality following industrial disturbance

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The death of one David Yelsa, an employee of Rongtai Group of Companies in Utesi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, has led to the massive destruction of the company’s property.

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Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, Friday Aghedo, confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Benin.

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Aghedo said Governor Monday Okpebholo, who is currently in the United Kingdom, mandated his principal to visit the company, assess the damage, engage the company’s management and community representatives, and restore calm.

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He assured all parties of a thorough government investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the company employee that triggered the unrest.

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Investigation revealed that the crisis broke out after the death of Yelsa, a forklift operator with the Rongtai Aluminium Group.

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Company officials said the deceased was fatally injured and later died when the forklift he was operating allegedly developed a fault, overturned at the edge of a culvert and crushed him.

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The incident sparked protests by members of the host community, who alleged that the company attempted to remove the deceased’s body from its premises without following due process or informing relevant stakeholders.

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The protest later turned violent, with vehicles, equipment and other facilities within the factory vandalised.

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During the visit, Idahosa toured the accident scene and the damaged sections of the factory. He also met with Chinese expatriate workers, some of whom narrated how they fled during the violence, while one displayed injuries allegedly sustained in the attack.

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The deputy governor, however, expressed concern over inconsistencies surrounding the accident, questioning why the forklift involved had been removed before investigators arrived and why there were no visible traces of blood or CCTV footage covering the accident location.

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He also criticised the company’s workplace safety standards, noting the absence of adequate protective equipment for workers, a functional medical clinic and even a basic first aid box within the facility.

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Addressing representatives of the company and the host community, Idahosa reiterated the state government’s commitment to uncovering the truth.

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“The Executive Governor of Edo State directed me to assess the level of destruction and establish the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident.

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“While Rongtai remains a major investor contributing significantly to Edo State’s economy and employment, every worker’s life is valuable and must be protected,” he said.

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He disclosed that the Ministries of Health, Labour, Public Safety and Environment would immediately commence a comprehensive investigation into the worker’s death, with their findings to be submitted to Governor Okpebholo.

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According to him, although preliminary observations had been made during the visit, the government’s final position would be based strictly on the outcome of the official investigation.

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The deputy governor appealed for calm from all parties while the government carried out a proper investigation into the matter.

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Managing Director of Rongtai Aluminium Group, Liu Chang, bemoaned the level of destruction suffered by the company as a result of the crisis.

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On his part, the Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Hon. Ericsson Osawaru, described the relationship between the council and the company as cordial, attributing part of the misunderstanding to communication challenges arising from language barriers.

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He assured that the local government would continue to support measures that protect both residents and investors.

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The company’s external solicitor, Imasuen Felix, said the deceased died in the course of duty and alleged that attempts to convey his remains to the mortuary were disrupted by protesting youths, who forced the vehicle back into the factory before vandalising facilities and carting away computers and other equipment.

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He added that security agencies arrested 35 suspects, including five employees of the company.

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Speaking for the host community, the Okaighele (Youth Leader), Osas Airumwona, “maintained that residents acted after receiving information that the deceased’s body was allegedly being transported from the factory without the presence of security personnel or members of his family.”

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He also “accused the company of failing to fulfil its corporate social responsibility obligations and cited previous disagreements with the community.”

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