Adekunbi Ero 
The Edo State government is unsettled by the death of five employees of a Chinese company under one month and is set to institute a probe into the circumstances leading to the accidents that claimed their lives and the consequent violent protests during which massive destruction was wreaked on the company’s properties.
The Commissioner for Labour and Productivity in Edo State, Godwin Eshieshie, who visited the company, the Rongtai Group of Companies in Utesi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area on Tuesday, warned that while the Okpebholo administration remained investor-friendly, it would however not allow dehumanisation of workers by employers, stating that his visit was to stop and halt deaths in the company.
Workers at the aluminium company attributed the deaths to poor welfare by the company’s management. While one was killed in a forklift accident, others were reportedly killed by electrocution and falling off a crane.
Eshieshie’s visit to the company was a follow-up to that of the deputy governor Dennis Idahosa on July 31, 2026, who was at the company for an on-the-spot assessment of the anarchy that broke out the previous day triggered by the latest death of a forklift operator, one David Yelsa.
Angered by the development, the workers, relatives and some community youths razed a section of the company and torched over 20 vehicles and motorcycles.
During the visit, Idahosa, who said he was at the company at the behest of Governor Monday Okpebholo who was at the time on a visit to the United Kingdom, promised that the Ministry of Labour and Productivity would be sent to investigate the deaths and the attendant pandemonium.
Speaking after inspecting the scene, a visibly displeased Eshishie berated the company’s management for alleged poor attention to safety issues, saying, “This is complete dehumanisation of workers. I have never seen such a scenario. A company where about five people died last month. Industries ought to maximise profit but not to the detriment of the workers. We have gone round the factories, you could see that there are no safety equipment, no helmet, and booths are not provided for the workers.
“They confirmed to me that one died as a result of electrical issues. How long can we continue to have this in a place of this nature.
“The report will be made available to Governor Monday Okpebholo. Necessary sanctions will be placed on them. We are a friendly state. We want investors to come but people will say the state is driving investors away. The governor provided enabling environment for these factories to thrive in terms of development. They are working and producing. “Dehumanisation is just too much here. We have done our job, and we have been able to go round. Issues of double taxation will for part of our report. The deaths that happened must be stopped and curtailed.
“We are ready to provide conducive environment for investment to thrive, but the company should budget a little for safety and for health issues.”
On the issue of double taxation raised by the organisation, Eshieshie said it would be dealt with in the report to be submitted to Governor Okpebholo.
Representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (MAN) Pierce Brritten, who was present during the commissioner’s visit, said it was unfortunate that workers in the company were not properly kitted.
Pierce, however, insisted that workers’ welfare was based on government’s regulations. He said expatriates at the company were still scared because of the mob attack following the death of the worker.
According to him, “There are government regulations that drive workers’ welfare. The Labour Ministry should work towards seeing to good welfare of the workers. It is not MAN’ s concern to pursue worker’s welfare. It is the duty of government to ensure compliance.
“As a member of MAN, I will say they are doing well in terms of contributing to the economy of Edo state. It is up to the company to do theirs in terms of worker’s welfare.”
Spokesman for the organisation, Chang Allen, said workers do refuse to wear safety gadgets. Allen said injured workers were rushed to the health centre outside the company.
Recall that the deputy governor had expressed the same displeasure during his earlier visit. He had toured the scene of the forklift accident scene and the damaged sections of the factory. He also met with Chinese expatriate workers, some of whom recounted how they fled during the mayhem, while one displayed injury allegedly sustained in the attack.
Idahosa however expressed concern over inconsistencies in the circumstances 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.
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.
Addressing representatives of the company and the host community, Idahosa reiterated the state government’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
“The Executive Governor of Edo State directed me to assess the level of destruction and establish the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident.
“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.”
Idahosa said 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.
The deputy governor appealed for calm from all parties while the government carried out a proper investigation into the matter.
Spokesman for the organisation, Chang Allen, said workers do refuse to wear safety gadgets. Allen said injured workers were rushed to the health centre outside the company.
Company officials explained that 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.
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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