Senate orders nationwide crackdown as lead poisoning hits Lagos

File photo of the Senate

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The Senate on Thursday expressed grave alarm over a fast-spreading lead-poisoning crisis in Ogijo, a densely populated community straddling the boundary between Ikorodu (Lagos) and Ogun East Senatorial District.

It described it as a full-blown environmental and public-health emergency that threatened thousands of lives.

The motion, jointly sponsored by Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East) and Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), was brought under Matters of Urgent Public Importance pursuant to Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended).

Lawmakers cited scientifically verified reports of extreme lead contamination linked to a cluster of used lead-acid battery recycling factories operating in the area for years.

According to the Senate, the crisis had left residents battling persistent headaches, abdominal pain, memory loss, seizures, and developmental delays in children, symptoms strongly associated with chronic lead exposure.

The chamber noted with concern that the Federal Government had already begun clampdowns, with the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, shutting down seven battery-recycling factories and ordering a temporary halt to lead-ingot exportation pending safety investigations.

Senators said they were “alarmed that residents have for several years complained of persistent headaches, abdominal pains, loss of memory, seizures, cognitive decline, and developmental delays in children, symptoms strongly associated with chronic lead exposure.”

Despite years of community protests, the smelters allegedly continued operating openly, releasing toxic fumes and particulate dust into surrounding homes, markets and playgrounds.

“It is regrettable that despite years of community outcry, smelter furnaces continued operating, discharging toxic fumes from melted batteries directly into surrounding neighbourhoods. We are concerned that while some factory operators deny wrongdoing, community exposure remains extreme.

“The Senate acknowledges and commends the proactive efforts of the Lagos and Ogun State Governments and their relevant ministries and agencies for conducting early inspections, raising community awareness and working with federal authorities to contain the exposure,” lawmakers said.

The chamber further cited disturbing findings by independent testing commissioned by The Examination and The New York Times, which revealed severe contamination in both residents’ blood samples and soil within the industrial cluster.

Some environmental samples, senators noted, showed lead levels “up to 186 times the global maximum safety threshold.”

A major dimension of the scandal, lawmakers said, was that lead processed in Ogijo had already been traced into international supply chains, reaching global battery and automobile manufacturers who either did not address the findings or relied solely on assurances from Nigerian suppliers.

The Senate lamented that while some factory operators deny wrongdoing, community exposure remains dangerously high amid weak accountability and gaps in Nigeria’s regulatory frameworks.

Senators nonetheless praised emergency actions taken by the Lagos and Ogun state governments, commending their early inspections, public-awareness campaigns and support for affected families.

Citing Sections 14(2)(b) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate emphasised the government’s responsibility to safeguard citizens’ welfare and ensure a safe environment.

Following extensive deliberations, the Senate resolved to commend both the Federal Government and the Lagos and Ogun State Governments for their swift intervention in shutting down non-compliant lead-recycling factories.

Lawmakers urged continued enforcement, including factory closures, export suspensions, prosecution of violators, and strengthened industrial safety monitoring.

The chamber mandated the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to deploy emergency medical teams to Ogijo to provide free toxicology screenings, blood-lead management, chelation therapy, and ongoing treatment for affected children and adults.

Simultaneously, the Federal Ministry of Environment and NESREA were directed to carry out comprehensive environmental remediation, mapping soil, groundwater, air, and household dust contamination.

The Senate also called on the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals and relevant regulatory agencies to enforce strict compliance standards for battery-recycling and lead-processing operations nationwide.

Additionally, it recommended establishing a National Lead Poisoning Response and Remediation Task Force within NEMA and directed the Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor progress and report back within six weeks.

The Senate described the Ogijo crisis as a preventable tragedy that must serve as a national wake-up call on industrial pollution, regulatory failure and the urgent need to protect vulnerable communities from hazardous waste.

The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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