The Federal Government has ordered the immediate shutdown of African Refractory and Allied Products Company (ARAP) located along the Ikorodu–Sagamu Expressway in Ogijo, Ogun State, following reports of hazardous working conditions at the facility.
The directive was issued by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, after an inspection by the ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Department uncovered serious safety violations that endangered workers.
According to the ministry, the investigation revealed that workers at the factory were exposed to silica dust, a harmful substance known to cause severe respiratory diseases and other occupational health risks.
Authorities also discovered regulatory irregularities, including issues related to the company’s licence renewal and discrepancies between its declared operations and actual production activities, which may violate provisions of Nigeria’s Factories Act designed to protect workers from harmful substances.
Following the findings, the government issued a Prohibition Notice, directing the factory to cease operations immediately while a comprehensive investigation is carried out to determine the extent of the violations.
Officials said the shutdown was necessary to protect the health and safety of workers, stressing that companies that fail to comply with occupational safety standards will face strict sanctions.
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