By Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Workers of the Benin Coca-Cola plant of the Nigeria Bottling Company on Friday protested the death of one of their colleagues whom they alleged died as a result of the company’s negligence.

Activities at the plant were brought to a halt as the workers barricaded the entrance to the company decrying the needless death of the colleague who was identified as Jerry Ayo.

The protesters were joined by relatives of the deceased who claimed that the 21 year old worker died as a result of electrocution while at work.

The protesters who prevented other workers from gaining access into the building, vowed to continue with the protest until the company issued a statement stating what led to the Jerry’s death.

According to them, they had complained severally about electric leakages at the plant but said that the management simply ignored their alarms.

Jerry was reportedly employed as casual worker at the plant on the April 20, 2015.

An uncle of the deceased who gave his name as Michael, said Jerry left home healthy but was brought back home dead.

“His friends told us the production factory has leakages of electricity. They took the boy to their clinic without the consent of the family,” he claimed.

A casual worker who gave his name as Goodluck Osawe, said the deceased did not know that there were electric leakages at the plant and died as a result of the company’s negligence.

Head of Public Affairs and Communications of the company, Uzo Odenigbo, who confirmed the death of Jerry however said the deceased died on the way to the hospital after a seizure while at work.

He conveyed the company’s sympathy to the family and said investigation had commenced to ascertain the cause of death.