Ogun State government has sealed up Phoenix Steel Mills Industries Limited, Ogijo in Sagamu Local Government with immediate effect, following a gas explosion in the factory.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya announced closure of the iron rod manufacturing industry during an on-the-spot assessment of the explosion area, which affected almost the production line of the company.

Oresanya disclosed that government would conduct a thorough investigation on the remote and immediate cause of the explosion, towards preventing future occurrence, adding that the investigation would spell out in clear terms, the condition under which the company should operate, so that its workers, immediate communities and property could be adequately protected.

He said in order to forestall further industrial accidents in the state, government would upscale and establish a Safety Desk, in form of an agency under the Ministry of Environment, saddled with the responsibilities of Health and Safety Matters.

"This is necessary because the state government believes that preservation of lives and property starts from prevention and safety matters. So we are going to step up our game when it comes to health and safety matters, especially when it comes to industrial production and activities, even in construction industries and make sure that people comply with the minimum and basic health and safety standards before they        operate in the state", he said.

The Commissioner urged industries in the state to conform with the new Health and Safety standards when fully implemented, as anyone who fails to conform would be sanctioned, calling on all Community Development Associations, who he described as first responders to any accident, to monitor all industries in their area for compliance,

Seven workers of the industry were seriously injured in the explosion and currently in an hospital at Ikorodu.