The Senate has begun a holistic probe into the widespread and scientifically verified lead-poisoning disaster ravaging Ogijo, a densely populated community straddling the Ikorodu area of Lagos and Ogun East Senatorial District.
Raising an alarm over the incident, the Senate has summoned the Ministers of Environment, Health, Solid Minerals, Labour and Employment, and the Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, to appear before the Senate Committee on Environment and Solid Minerals to give an update on the situation.
According to the Senate, the situation has linked to multiple used lead-acid battery recycling factories, has evolved into a full-blown public health emergency, with children, women and factory workers facing life-altering health consequences after years of exposure to toxic emissions.
The Senate has ordered an emergency medical response and environmental remediation to contain the crisis by approving sweeping measures.
The Upper Chamber has called for the deployment of emergency medical teams by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for free toxicology screening, blood-lead testing, chelation therapy and long-term treatment for victims.
It has called for a comprehensive environmental remediation by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to map soil, groundwater, air and household dust contamination.
The Senate has said that there should be strict nationwide enforcement of battery recycling and lead-processing standards by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and emergency relief and temporary relocation for severely affected families through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The Senate has called for the creation of a National Lead Poisoning Response and Remediation office within NEMA to coordinate clean-up, medical treatment, monitoring, and global traceability of exported lead.
It has mandated its Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance was also directed to ensure full implementation of all resolutions within six weeks.
Resolutions of the Senate yesterday were sequel to motion, sponsored by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, APC – Lagos East and Senator Gbenga Daniel , APC, Ogun East, just as they warned that Ogijo is now confronting “an environmental catastrophe of global significance,” with contamination levels reaching up to 186 times the internationally accepted safety limits.
In his presentation, Senator Abiru expressed shock over reports of persistent headaches, abdominal pain, seizures, memory loss and cognitive decline,symptoms strongly associated with long-term lead exposure, reported by residents for years without effective intervention.
He also cited independent investigations by The Examination and The New York Times, which confirmed severe poisoning through blood tests and toxic soil sampling.
According to Abiru, processed lead from Ogijo had entered global supply chains feeding major automobile manufacturers, illustrating how contaminated Nigerian lead was exported while local communities inhaled toxic fumes.
(Complete Sports)
