Ogun State authorities shut African Refractory and Allied Products Limited (ARAP) in Ogijo after a viral video showed a former employee claiming he developed silicosis from years of inhaling dust at the factory.
ARAP Closure Following Viral Claims
Consequently, the government posted the announcement on Sunday via its official X handle, explaining that ARAP, which produces ramming mass for steel furnace linings, would remain closed while investigators examine the allegations.
Investigation And Medical Care
Furthermore, Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, led a fact-finding visit to the site with officials from the Ministry of Environment and the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA).
He reassured the public that Bartholomew Aniemeka, the employee at the centre of the claims, is receiving proper medical care at TopMed Hospital in Ogijo.
Meanwhile, doctors will conduct a series of tests to determine the full extent of his health condition.
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Bartholomew said he started working at ARAP in 2016 and first received a tuberculosis diagnosis, but later doctors confirmed silicosis.
He explained that prolonged exposure to dust from crushed quartz stones gradually damaged his lungs.
In addition, he claimed that several colleagues died from similar illnesses and that he kept records of their names and dates.
Allegations Raise Safety Concerns
His sister, Cynthia, accused both the government and ARAP of ignoring workers’ health, stating that sick employees received no support or compensation.
“They won’t even compensate.
Once the person dies, work continues,” she said.
Therefore, these allegations have sparked broader concerns about workplace safety and environmental compliance in Ogun State, which ranks high on Nigeria’s Health Preparedness Index.
As a result, the ongoing investigation will test the state’s commitment to enforcing health and safety standards in industrial workplaces.
