Oyo Assembly Wades into Sumal’s Protest, Constitutes Committee for Proper Investigation

By Oyeniyi Esan

The Oyo State House of Assembly under the leadership of Hon. Debo Ogundoyin has waded into Sumal violent protest,  condemned the poor working conditions of workers and constitute committe to investigate into the matter as a bid to protect the interests of Oyo residents, business owners and workers.

This motion was brought forward by Hon. Yusuf Adebisi, calling for immediate investigation of the unfortunate claimed lives and injured many at Yale 3 Branch of Sumal Food Limited, oluyole Industrial Estate,  and equally challenging the poor working conditions of Oyo residents at various industries across the state.

According to the motion, “Notes with deep concern the alarming rate at which multinational companies, particularly in Ibadan, are maltreating Nigerians and neglecting their welfare. Recall the tragic death of a 21-year-old University of Ibadan student, Gbadebo Richard, who fell into a soap-making machine at a factory owned by Henkel Nigeria Limited, makers of WAW detergent and bar soap, in July 2020. Gbadebo, a 300-level student of European Studies at University of Ibadan, was on a holiday job the factory in Oluyole, Ibadan, due to the COVID-19 school closures. Shockingly, he fell into a making machine and his death went unnoticed until blood was seen coming out of the machine.

“Further notes that a similar unfortunate incident occurred at the British American Tobacco Company, Ibadan, where a Nigerian casual worker died from exposure to nicotine and tobacco materials, and no action was taken. These distressing incidents happen regularly in various industries, particularly in those owned by Lebanese nationals in Ibadan. My Speaker, on Monday, 1 July, 2024, a dreadful incident of assault, killing, and maahardling occurred at “Yale 3″ branch of Sumal Foods Limited, producer of Yale biscuits and a range of other snacks in Oluyole Industrial Estate in Ibadan South West Local Government Area,two persons reportedly died and several others sustained injuries from live bullets fired by Nigerian Police officers and Operation Burst personnel”.

“Aware that the workers of this food processing company were holding a peaceful protest over their poor working conditions, the neglect of injured workers, and the alleged misappropriation of food palliatives by top management. The workers’ grievances included unsafe working conditions, lack of helmets and safety boots, and being treated like slaves. One worker described the working conditions as akin to “heilfire.” The situation escalated around 3:15 pm when an expatriate manager called for security reinforcement, allegedly spreading false information about workers rampaging the facility. This led to trigger-happy officers firing live bullets, resulting in two deatns and filling the environment with tear gas and bullets.

“Further aware that one of the victims, Bode, was a student from Lagos, seeking to earn money before returning to continue his education. His dreams were tragically cut short, leaving his colleagues in severe pain. Over time, numerous petitions, complaints, and discussions have highlighted the unruly behavior of many expatriates on Nigerian soil, who mistreat casual workers, underpay them, and subject them to poor working conditions. This situation is deeply saddening and requiring urgent attention”.

“The Committees on Employment, Labour, Productivity and Pension and Security, and Strategy to summon the management of Sumal Food Limited, the representatives of the workers’ Union with a view to unraveling the remote and immediate cause of the incidence and ensure that the injured workers are duly compensated and cared for at the expense of the company”.