Kingsley Ohens reporting 

BENIN CITY, Edo State — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has directed the management of Rongtai Building Materials Nigeria Ltd. to urgently strengthen its safety and security measures to protect the lives and welfare of its workers.

The governor gave the directive on Wednesday during an inspection visit to the company’s premises in Utesi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, following a recent crisis at the facility that claimed the lives of five workers and triggered violent protests and attacks on parts of the company’s property.

The incident, which reportedly involved fatalities arising from electrocution and a crane-related accident, had sparked anger among workers, relatives and some members of the host community, leading to the destruction of a section of the company’s facilities, as well as more than 20 vehicles and motorcycles.

Governor Okpebholo, who described the loss of lives as tragic and condemnable, said the scale of the company’s operations demanded a stronger commitment to workplace safety, emergency response and security.

He also condemned the attack on the company, stressing that grievances over workplace incidents should not result in the destruction of property or disruption of legitimate business activities.

“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 governor said.

He urged the management to prioritise the safety of its workforce, noting that adequate emergency and medical facilities could significantly reduce the consequences of workplace accidents.

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

The governor expressed satisfaction with steps already being taken by the company to establish a clinic, procure an ambulance and recruit medical personnel, describing the measures as important investments in the welfare of its workforce.

He further urged Rongtai to strengthen its corporate social responsibility initiatives and address infrastructure challenges within and around its premises, particularly the poor road leading to the company.

According to him, improving the road would not only enhance access and business operations but also help prevent criminal elements from exploiting the poor condition of the road to attack vehicles and other property.

“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,” the governor said.

Governor Okpebholo also disclosed that he had discussed with the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, the establishment of a police post within the company’s vicinity, alongside accommodation for security personnel.

He said the proposed arrangement would provide sustained security for the company, its workforce and the surrounding community, given the size and strategic importance of the facility.

“It should 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 added.

Responding on behalf of Rongtai Building Materials Nigeria Ltd., Huang Shibin commended Governor Okpebholo for visiting the facility to obtain first-hand information about the incident.

Shibin said the company had continued to fulfil its corporate social responsibility obligations to the host community, while alleging that some community elders had received substantial financial support from the company without ensuring that the benefits reached other members of the community.

He appealed to the state government to strengthen security around the company and promote a peaceful and conducive environment for the business to operate and contribute to the state’s economy.

The governor 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, Edo State Command, Patrick Daaor; and other senior government officials.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, said the visit underscored the Okpebholo administration’s commitment to protecting lives, promoting responsible investment and maintaining a secure environment for businesses and workers across Edo State.

The engagement also reinforced the administration’s position that industrial growth must go hand in hand with workplace safety, corporate responsibility, community engagement and effective security.