Ogun Calls for Temporary Ban on Lead Ingot Exports, Seals Seven Recycling Plants
Ogijo – The Ogun State Government has called for an immediate, temporary ban on the export of lead ingots from the state. The move comes in response to a viral video raising alarms over alleged lead poisoning in the industrial community of Ogijo.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, announced the advocacy for the ban during an inspection tour of Ogijo in the Sagamu Local Government Area. The visit was specifically organised to address the growing public concern stemming from the circulating video.
In a decisive enforcement action, the commissioner also ordered the immediate closure of seven industries involved in the recycling of Used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) within the Ogijo community.
The inspection team comprised experts from the State Ministries of Environment and Health, the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), and officials from the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
Commissioner Oresanya sought to allay the fears of residents, particularly those in Ogijo, outlining the government’s plan to conduct a comprehensive Health and Process Audit of the affected industries.
He stated that the audit will include extensive testing to determine lead levels in humans, soil, air, and water bodies throughout the industrial town. Promising full transparency, Oresanya committed to making the findings of these tests public.
Additionally, the commissioner revealed that the government is scrutinising the methodology and data from the previous test cited in the media report, indicating a thorough investigation into the extent of the potential contamination.
