Ogun Intensifies Ogijo Lead Remediation, Evacuates Illegally Dumped Slags
OGIJO — The Ogun State Government has intensified efforts to address lead contamination in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area, with the continued evacuation of illegally dumped industrial slags from affected communities.
The exercise, being coordinated by the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), commenced earlier in the week as part of the government’s ongoing remediation efforts to tackle environmental hazards associated with lead contamination and other hazardous materials in the industrial community.
The evacuation is aimed at removing potential sources of lead contamination from the environment and reducing the risks posed to residents, workers and other stakeholders within the affected communities.
Speaking on the exercise, the General Manager of OGEPA, Hon. Kehinde Bello, assured residents of Ogijo of the state government’s determination to achieve a comprehensive clean-up of the affected areas.
Bello said OGEPA would continue to deploy appropriate environmental management measures to address identified sources of contamination, stressing that the removal of illegally dumped slags remained a critical component of the ongoing remediation exercise.
He urged residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with OGEPA officials throughout the exercise and desist from activities capable of further contaminating the environment.
The OGEPA boss specifically cautioned against the indiscriminate dumping of industrial waste and slags, noting that such practices could undermine the ongoing efforts to restore the affected areas.
Bello reiterated the commitment of the Ogun State Government to sustaining the remediation exercise until the affected areas are adequately cleaned up.
He added that the ultimate objective was to restore Ogijo to a safe, healthy and environmentally sustainable industrial community.
Luke Adebesin
Information and Public Relations Officer, OGEPA
