Foundation For Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has condemned in totality, what it described as the “negligence and lack of safety standards of Inner Galaxy Steel, a Chinese company in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, resulting to the tragic death of one Mr. Oto Obong Uwem from Akwa Ibom State.
In a petition jointly signed by Comrade. Nelson Nnanna Nwafor and Barr. Femisi Akande, the Executive Director and Head Litigation & Corporate Accountability of FENRAD, respectively, implored the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the National Occupational Safety and Health Agency (NOSHA) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death Oto Obong.
Oto Obong was said to have met his untimely death on Thursday, while on duty.
According to the report, the deceased fell from an elevated section of the building while welding equipment, due to the absence of proper safety gear and non-compliance with standard occupational safety procedures.
“We, the undersigned members of Foundation For Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) a non-profit and Human Rights Organization write to formally petition the management of Inner Galaxy Steel Company over the tragic and avoidable death of Mr. Oto Obong Uwem, a young welder employed in your company working on the department of casting as an Electrician.
“This unfortunate incident, which occurred on Thursday 26th June 2025 within your company premises, amounts to a gross violation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards as well as the fundamental right to life and dignity as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and relevant international labor laws”.
The human rights group called for a full and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Uwem, involving regulatory bodies such as the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the National Occupational Safety and Health Agency (NOSHA), among others.
“Adequate compensation and support to the family of the deceased to mitigate the emotional and financial burden his death has caused. This should include:
“A public apology and admission of liability, payment of death benefits and entitlements, and provision of financial compensation as determined through fair arbitration or negotiation.
The rights group also called for an “immediate review and upgrade of safety measures and protocols within your company to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
This, they said, should include “mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff training on safety practices.
“Deployment of safety officers at work sites.”
The statement argued that, “As a company operating within the Nigerian jurisdiction and benefiting from its human resources, you owe a duty of care to your employees.
“The loss of this young worker reflects poorly on corporate accountability and undermines the basic principles of human rights and workplace safety.
“We hope that your management will treat this petition with the urgency, responsibility, and moral obligation it deserves.
“We also reserve the right to take further legal, civic, and advocacy actions should this matter be neglected or dismissed.
“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done”, the statement concluded.
Recall that last year the company was allegedly accused of causing the death of a female crane operator, identified as Ocheze Ogbonna.
Ogbonna hails from the company’s host community, Umuahala Obuzor Asa.
THE WHISTLER gathered that her Chinese Manager pushed down the lady from the crane.
She was said to have hit her head on a hard object and died.
Reports also said that the manager never related well with Ocheze over her alleged rejection of love advances by the deceased.
The incident was said to have caused tension in the steel company as youth of the community barricaded the gates, insisting that they would not leave until justice was done over the death of the crane operator.
The protesting youths were later dispersed by soldiers guarding the steel company.
It was alleged that some of the protesting youths were shot and beaten up by soldiers although efforts to confirm the report from the police or the company were unsuccessful.
