Editorial: The Sethi incident-Government should share some blames too
It is hardly believable that a huge steel manufacturing company like Sethi Steel Factory would operate in Liberia without a license and other requisite operational documents. Sethi also faces concerns over safety issues that its employees have protested against for time in memorial.
The glaring deficiencies came to public attention when an Oxygen explosion at the factory killed an employee on Monday, February 19, 2025, with reports of injuries, though the company says there was no injury besides the death of an employee, Saah Samukai.
Perhaps even more disappointing and disgusting about the incident is the Environmental Protection Agency’s disclosure that Sethi, which enjoys a monopoly on building materials such as steel, zinc, nails, and others, has been operating in the country without a license.
“This is a serious matter because a Liberian’s life has been taken away, so my team at the EPA has come to observe and find out exactly how the accident took place.
And we have gathered in our preliminary findings a few safety concerns; there are several things: some are good, and some are bad, and we must take the bad ones very seriously”, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo told reporters last week.
But how come the EPA, under the watch of Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, did not know that Sethi Steel Factory has been operating in the country without a license and safety gear for its workforce, most of whom are Liberians who do the physical labor-intensive aspect of the job?
We are learning now that it took Dr. Yarkpawolo and the EPA more than a year since he took office in 2024 to visit Sethi Steel Factor, which is less than an hour’s drive from central Monrovia to Japan Freeway in Gardersville, to discover that the company has been operating outside of Liberian law.
“The first thing, when we heard about the accident, our team came immediately and shut down the factory; another thing, we have observed Sethi Ferro has been operating without a license, and we are going through the investigation for stringent action,” he added.
The Government of Liberia has reportedly fined the company US$5,000 and shut it down for operating without a license and standard safety policies. However, it took the death of a fellow Liberian to have Dr. Yarkpawolo and his team at the EPA do their job of properly monitoring and enforcing required safety regulations.
We wonder how many companies out there across Liberia are having their way, violating the laws of the country, and endangering public lives, especially Liberians who work in those places just to earn a living at the expense of their lives.
We are hearing that the House of Representatives has summoned the Ministers of Labor, Commerce, Bureau of Concession, Environmental Protection Agency, and Serthi Ferro Fabrik Steel Factory to appear before it this Tuesday, 25 February, to address the oxygen explosion at the factory that led to the death of an employee.
The plenary made the decision last Thursday, 20 February, based on a communication from Rep. Ivar K. Jones of Electoral District 2, Margibi County.
In his communication, Rep. Jones cites Article 8 of the 1986 Constitution, which guarantees just and humane working conditions for all citizens. He stresses that the government must ensure that factories operating in Liberia adhere to strict safety standards.
“When people leave their homes in the morning to go to work, their families expect them to return safely. If safety measures are not enforced, and these investors continue to operate without regard for human life, then this is a concern for all of us”, he emphasized.
However, it is glaring that both the Legislature and the Executive Branch are paying lip service to safety and the enforcement of laws on the books, leaving the citizenry vulnerable. The two important branches of government are preoccupied with achieving their selfish desires to the detriment of the people they claim to serve.
Professional Assessment Report – Sethi Steel Factory Fatality Findings
Prepared by: Jay Randy
Job Title: Global EHSSS Consultant, Regulatory Compliance, Expert Sustainability & Risk Management Strategist, Regional Manager
Date: February 25, 2025
Incident Overview
On February 19, 2025, a tragic oxygen explosion at Sethi Steel Factory in Liberia resulted in the death of employee Saah Samukai. Preliminary investigations indicate that the factory was operating without a valid license and lacked essential safety measures, despite repeated concerns raised by employees regarding hazardous working conditions. The failure of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulatory bodies to enforce compliance further highlights significant systemic regulatory and operational shortcomings.
Key Findings
The primary causal factors contributing to the incident include unlicensed operations, safety violations, regulatory negligence, delayed action, and inadequate penalties. Sethi Steel Factory was operating without a valid license, in direct violation of Liberian laws. The company also failed to provide adequate safety equipment or enforce proper safety protocols, putting employees at severe risk. Additionally, regulatory agencies, including the EPA, neglected to conduct regular inspections or enforce compliance measures. Despite the factory’s location near Monrovia, regulatory intervention only took place after the fatal accident. Furthermore, the penalties imposed—a mere fine of US$5,000 and a temporary shutdown—are insufficient to deter future violations and fail to hold the responsible parties adequately accountable.
The root causes of this incident stem from weak regulatory oversight, lax enforcement of laws, corporate negligence, systemic government failure, and inadequate worker protections. The lack of regular inspections and enforcement by the EPA and other agencies allowed unsafe working conditions to persist. Existing safety and operational regulations were neither implemented nor monitored effectively. Sethi Steel Factory prioritized profit over employee safety and legal compliance, reflecting a clear case of corporate negligence. Additionally, the delayed and ineffective response from regulatory authorities raises concerns about negligence or potential corruption within government institutions. Workers also lacked the necessary means to advocate for safer conditions, further exacerbating the risks they faced.
Corrective and Preventative Measures
To address the failures that led to this tragedy, a comprehensive investigation must be conducted to examine equipment maintenance issues and safety protocol deficiencies. Sethi Steel Factory must be held accountable through significant financial penalties, compensation for the deceased employee’s family, and mandatory implementation of safety measures and employee training before resuming operations. Furthermore, regulatory agencies, including the EPA, should be held accountable for their failure to enforce legal safety standards.
To prevent future incidents, regulatory oversight must be significantly strengthened. A dedicated task force should be established to conduct regular, unannounced inspections of industrial facilities, ensuring compliance with safety standards. Sufficient resources must be allocated to regulatory agencies to enhance their monitoring and enforcement capabilities. Additionally, the legal framework should be updated to introduce stricter penalties for non-compliance, including mandatory third-party safety audits for high-risk industries. Employee empowerment is also crucial in fostering a safer work environment. Whistleblower protection programs should be implemented to allow workers to report safety violations without fear of retaliation. Providing safety training and essential resources to employees will further strengthen workplace safety. Public awareness campaigns should also be launched to educate both workers and the general public about safety standards and reporting mechanisms. Improved interagency collaboration between the EPA, the Ministry of Labor, and the Bureau of Concession is essential to ensure a coordinated regulatory approach.
Conclusion
The explosion at Sethi Steel Factory highlights severe deficiencies in regulatory oversight, corporate accountability, and worker protections. Immediate corrective actions, coupled with long-term preventative strategies, are essential to preventing future tragedies. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms, empowering workers, and ensuring accountability for both companies and regulatory bodies are critical steps toward fostering a safer and more compliant industrial sector in Liberia.
Prepared by:
Jay Randy
Global EHSSS Consultant, Regulatory Compliance, Expert Sustainability & Risk Management Strategist, Regional Manager
An insightful editorial, indeed! But let’s ask the tough questions—how long has Sethi Brothers been operating in Liberia without a license? A company raking in massive profits, yet the penalty is a mere $5,000? This is nothing short of a farce!
And now, the legislature invites Sethi to discuss safety concerns? The absurdity never ends in Liberia. A company blatantly operating illegally is given a seat at the table, as if it deserves legitimacy. Instead of shutting them down and imposing significant fines for their unlawful operations, the government is entertaining them like they’re in the clear.
It’s time for Liberia to get serious. This cannot be swept under the rug as just another example of business as usual. We must demand accountability, or we risk losing all sense of justice. Liberia, are we truly committed to progress?
“An insightful editorial, indeed! But let’s ask the tough questions—how long has Sethi Brothers been operating in Liberia without a license? A company raking in massive profits, yet the penalty is a mere $5,000? This is nothing short of a farce!
And now, the legislature invites Sethi to discuss safety concerns? The absurdity never ends in Liberia. A company blatantly operating illegally is given a seat at the table, as if it deserves legitimacy. Instead of shutting them down and imposing significant fines for their unlawful operations, the government is entertaining them like they’re in the clear.
It’s time for Liberia to get serious. This cannot be swept under the rug as just another example of business as usual. We must demand accountability, or we risk losing all sense of justice. Liberia, are we truly committed to progress?”
An insightful editorial, indeed! But let’s ask the tough questions—how long has Sethi Brothers been operating in Liberia without a license? A company raking in massive profits, yet the penalty is a mere $5,000? This is nothing short of a farce!
And now, the legislature invites Sethi to discuss safety concerns? The absurdity never ends in Liberia.
A company blatantly operating illegally is given a seat at the table, as if it deserves legitimacy. Instead of shutting them down and imposing significant fines for their unlawful operations, the government is entertaining them like they’re in the clear.
It’s time for Liberia to get serious. This cannot be swept under the rug as just another example of business as usual. We must demand accountability, or we risk losing all sense of justice. Liberia, are we truly committed to progress?
Please do follow up on this important issue