By ABDULKABIR MUHAMMED

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has accused an Abia-based Chinese firm, the Inner Galaxy Steel Company, of negligence over the death of Mr. Oto Obong Uwem, a young welder working in the casting department as an electrician. Mr. Uwem, who died on Thursday, 26 June 2025, reportedly fell from an elevated section of the building while welding. FENRAD has petitioned the Chinese firm over what it considers a “tragic and avoidable death”.

In a petition co-signed by the Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, and Head of Litigation & Corporate Accountability, Barr. Femisi Akande, and directed at the Managing Director of Inner Galaxy Steel Company, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), wrote:

“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.”

The rights group Insists that the death of the Abia worker was “due to the absence of proper safety gear and non-compliance with standard occupational safety procedures.”

“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,” they argued.

In compensation, FENRAD is demanding an independent investigation into the case. They are also asking for a public apology from the Chinese firm, financial compensation, and a rejig of the company’s safety measures.

FENRAD’s demands are as follows:

This petition seeks to raise the following urgent demands:

1. 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.

2. 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.

Provision of financial compensation as determined through fair arbitration or negotiation.

3. 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.

Deployment of safety officers at work sites.

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) vows to take further legal actions should the Inner Galaxy Steel Company fail to meet the above demands.

“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.”