Alleged Lead Poisoning, Ogun Sets Up Joint Monitoring Committee 

In order to rid Ogijo and its environs of any form of pollution especially the alleged lead poisoning, Ogun State Government has set-up a 15-members Joint Monitoring Committee.

Speaking, while inaugurating the Committee, Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, said they would serve as a bridge between the State Government and the community as members were strategically selected by virtue of their residential proximity to the Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB) recycling facilities whose activities led to the alleged lead poisoning and their active participation at the recently held community engagements in Ogijo.

          Aside from this the committee according to the Commissioner would also provide localised oversight on operations of ULAB facilities, facilitate the reportage of environmental and health concern as well as support transparency in remediation and compliance processes in Ogijo community.

"Environmental protection cannot be achieved through regulation alone as it requires community vigilance, shared responsibility and mutual trust. Therefore  members of this Joint Monitoring Committee have an important mandate to act objectively, responsibly and in the best interest of public health and environmental sustainability, hence their roles is also preventive and protective which was aimed at ensuring early detection of risk and sustained compliance.

"To the Used Lab Acid Batteries ULAB operators, let me be equivocal that your economic activities must never compromise human health or environmental integrity, when you are conditionally reopened. Compliance with environmental health and safety standards are mandatory and any of the facilities that fails to meet prescribed requirements will not be permitted to operate," Oresanya added.

In his contribution, General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, called on the stakeholders to support the State Government in restoring environmental compliance back to Ogijo community and pledged the support of his agency to the success of the committee.

In his remarks, the Ologijo of Ogijo, Oba Kazim Gbadamosi, urged the ULAB operators to comply with environmental safety standards set for them and called on the Joint Monitoring Committee Members to be diligent in carrying out their responsibilities.

Also speaking, South-West Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Mr. Jack Peniel, said the national agency would ensure strict compliance with environmental standards to restore a conducive environment back to Ogijo.

- Rotimi Oduniyi & Luke Adebesin,
Information and Public Relations Officers Environment, OGEPA