LEAD POISONING HITS LAGOS-OGUN STATE BORDER

A full blown environmental and health crisis has threatened to affect thousands of lives in Ogijo, a community situated between Ogun state and Lagos state. Locals and members of the community faced persistent headaches, seizures, and other symptoms due to lead exposure levels of up to 186 times more than the threshold limit. 

This occurred due to improper recycling and disposal of used lead-acid batteries by factories operating in the area. These facilities reportedly broke open old batteries to extract lead without adequate environmental controls, causing lead-contaminated dust, soil, and wastewater to spread into the surrounding community. Over time, toxic particles accumulated in the air, on farmland, in residential soil, and in local water sources. Residents, especially children, were exposed through inhalation of dust, contact with contaminated soil, and consumption of polluted food or water, leading to dangerously high levels of lead in their bodies. It was also reported that there were severe cases of seizures in some children and their learning activities were disrupted. The lack of proper regulation, poor enforcement, and unchecked industrial activity contributed significantly to the severity of contamination. The Senate assembled on Thursday to discuss the need for appropriate mitigation measures and to address policies in relation to this issue.

   Upon raising awareness, the Ogun state and Lagos state government conducted inspection and collaborated with Federal ministries such as NESREA and other related bodies to ensure that the exposure is contained, and solutions are being sought.  The senate cited Sections 14(2)(b) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution to emphasize the responsibility of the government to safeguard its citizens and protect the environment. The New York Times also carried out tests on blood samples of residents as well as soil samples to determine the full measure of the crisis. The chamber therefore mandated the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to carry out free medical screening and toxicology testing on both children and adults. In the same vein, measures for remediation are to be carried out by the appropriate ministries and bodies to ensure that this occurrence is contained, and lives are protected.

     This crisis serves as a wakeup call to community leaders and its members also especially to the government and lawmakers to ensure adequate actions are carried out to limit disaster and damage to health. Hazardous waste management in Nigeria should be properly managed and secured to preserve lives and the environment at large.