The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has petitioned the Managing Director of Inner Galaxy Steel Company, located at Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State, over the death of Mr. Oto Obong Uwem due to alleged negligence and lack of safety standards.
FENRAD, which described the death of the young welder, was tragic, and the death was also avoidable.
The Human Rights Organisation said that Uwem worked for Inner Galaxy Steel Company at the department of casting as an Electrician until his tragic demise.
According to eyewitness accounts and information gathered by our organisation, the deceased fell from an elevated section of the building while using welding equipment, due to the absence of proper safety gear and non-compliance with standard occupational safety procedures.
The Executive Director FENRAD, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, said: “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.”
According to Nwafor, this petition seeks to raise the following urgent demands, an 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.
The petition also seeks adequate compensation and support for 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.
FENRAD also wants immediate review and upgrade of safety measures and protocols within your company to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This should include mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE), staff training on safety practices and deployment of safety officers at work sites.
Nwafor stated: “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.”
