ABEOKUTA– A worker with a Chinese Quarry Company, Xiyuan Quarry in Ogun State has lost his life due to an alleged inability by the Quarry company to provide PPEs for its workers.
The deceased identified simply as Femi lost his life on Saturday while transporting one of the Chinese in the company from the factory to the residential part of the Quarry.
An eye witness, Paul Olatunde told The News Ville that the deceased met with his death on his way back from the residential building where he reportedly dropped the said Chinese.
He said that one of the trucks used in conveying sand unknowingly crushed Femi to death.
He however blamed the death on non-provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) like helmet to the workers working at the Quarry.
He added, “Femi will still be alive if only there are PPEs here, he uses his head to hit the ground and that would not have happened if he was putting on helmet.
“What actually happened was that in the course of working, one of the Chinese that was in a place we called ‘down Quarry’ and he said he wanted to go to ‘Up quarry’. He asked Femi to drop him at the Up Quarry which is more like the residential part of the Quarry.
“It was on his way back that he met the misfortune. He was not aware he was between two trucks due to the dust that covered everywhere.
“We rushed him to the hospital, but he gave up the ghost before we got to the hospital.
“Femi is an easy going person, he does not go beyond his boundary and he is very hardworking.”
“We were only working here, they are not taking care of us. Even before we got boot we use, it was hell. Where we live is not comfortable.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers in Ogun State have embarked on closing down the Quarry Monday.
The chairman of the Union, Comrade Fasiu Abiola while speaking with The News Ville describe the death as tragic, arguing that such incident would have become avoidable if the Chinese company provide neccesary PPEs for the workers.
The NUMW chairman lamented that many Quarry companies in the state are not treating their workers well, adding that so many are still casual staff despite spending over seven years at the Quarries.
He however maintained that the Quarry will remain closed untill the company provide all the needed PPEs for its workers.
