The Ogun State Government don order make dem stop lead ingot export sharp-sharp and shut down seven Used Lead-Acid Battery (ULAB) recycling factories wey dey operate for Ogijo area of Sagamu LGA, as serious lead poison matter don worry residents.
This action follow two-part investigation wey The Examination do, wey show say Ogijo don suffer dangerous lead contamination from some battery recycling companies for the area.
Governor Dapo Abiodun media aide, Emmanuel Ojo, announce the matter for him X page on Thursday.
According to am, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, lead one team from Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, OGEPA and NESREA go Ogijo on Monday to inspect wetin dey happen.
After the inspection, government shut down seven ULAB factories pending full investigation.
Oresanya tell residents say make dem no panic, as the state go begin full health and environmental audit.
“We go test water, air, soil and even people body for lead level. Any result wey we get, we go show am public,” he talk.
Investigation Show Serious Lead Contamination
The Examination investigation reveal say:
All factory workers wey dem test get dangerous lead level for their blood — some reach 38 µg/dL.
Eight out of 14 children get blood-lead level wey pass WHO safe limit.
Soil for school playground get over 1,900 ppm of lead — almost five times wetin be international safety standard.
More Companies Don Enter Trouble
OGEPA don begin enforcement, inspecting six ULAB plants after dem issue 72-hour shutdown order to nine factories for the state.
OGEPA General Manager, Kehinde Bello, talk say the agency no go allow any company endanger people life again.
“Our work na to ensure clean and safe environment,” he talk.
Since the investigation drop, Federal and State authorities don dey take action:
On November 24, Minister of State for Labour and Employment seal True Metals Nigeria Ltd and Phoenix Steel Mills Ltd.
On November 27, Ogun Govt shut seven more factories.
NESREA earlier for September seal nine lead factories after soil and blood test results show serious contamination.
Foreign company, East Penn Manufacturing for US, also announce say dem don stop to buy Nigerian lead because of the findings.
Ogun Govt tell residents make dem calm down as dem continue the full probe and prepare sanctions for companies wey break environmental law.
