The Nigerian Senate don raise serious alarm as one dangerous lead-poisoning wahala dey spread quick-quick for Ogijo community, wey dey between Ikorodu side of Lagos and Ogun East area. According to wetin dem discuss for plenary, the matter don turn full environmental and public-health emergency wey fit put thousands of people for danger if government no act fast.
From wetin senators talk, the lead poisoning no be today start. Dem say communities for that axis don dey complain for years say some battery-recycling factories dey operate without proper safety. Because of the way dem dey melt old lead-acid batteries, thick toxic smoke and dust don dey enter people house, market and even places where children dey play. Na this thing don cause serious health problems like steady headache, stomach pain, memory loss, seizures and slow growth for small pikin.
The motion wey raise the matter na from Senators Tokunbo Abiru from Lagos East and Gbenga Daniel from Ogun East. Dem tell the House say scientific investigations don confirm say some of the factories for Ogijo dey produce lead contamination wey pass global safety level by plenty multiples. Some soil samples wey experts test show lead concentration almost 186 times above wetin world health standard allow, something wey shock the senators well-well.
The Senate also talk say Federal Government don already begin take action. Dem mention say Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, don shut down about seven battery factories wey no follow safety law. She also order make dem pause export of lead-ingot until proper investigation finish. Even Lagos and Ogun State governments don already begin early inspections and public awareness campaigns to warn people for the area.
But despite all these steps, senators still vex say some of the smelter factories still dey operate before the clampdown start, ignoring community complaints. Dem talk say the environmental damage no be small at all, and say international organisations don even trace some of the lead produced for Ogijo enter global supply chain of car and battery companies abroad.
After long discussion, the Senate come pass strong resolutions.
Dem order say:
- Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC must send emergency medical teams go Ogijo to run free toxicology test, check blood-lead levels and give treatment, especially for small children wey lead dey affect pass.
- Ministry of Environment and NESREA must begin full environmental clean-up: soil test, water test, air test and cleaning of dust contamination for people house.
- Ministry of Solid Minerals and other regulatory bodies must tighten safety laws for any business wey dey process lead or recycle batteries, so the same mistake no repeat for anywhere in Nigeria.
- The Senate also want Federal Government and the two state governments to continue sealing any factory wey no obey safety law, prosecute offenders and monitor compliance well. Dem even recommend make government create one National Lead Poisoning Response Task Force under NEMA to handle future cases faster.
Senators end the discussion by calling the Ogijo lead poisoning matter a “preventable disaster” wey show say Nigeria need serious upgrade for environmental safety, industrial regulation and protection of vulnerable communities. Dem warn say this kain thing fit happen again for other places if government no strengthen monitoring.
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