ABUJA – The Nigerian Senate has declared the deadly lead poisoning outbreak in Lagos-Ogun border communities a national public health emergency and ordered an immediate, country-wide clampdown on all sources of contamination.
Following chilling revelations of blood-lead levels up to 186 times above safe limits in Ogijo, lawmakers on Thursday directed the Ministries of Health, Environment and Solid Minerals, NAFDAC, NESREA and SON to enforce strict regulations on battery recycling plants, lead processing factories and industrial emissions across Nigeria.
The upper chamber also mandated the establishment of a dedicated National Lead Poisoning Response and Remediation Office under NEMA, deployment of free mass screening and chelation therapy by NCDC, and full environmental clean-up of affected soil, water and homes.
Senators Mukhail Abiru (Lagos East) and Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), who moved the motion, described the situation as a “silent killer” that has turned Ogijo into a sacrifice zone.
The Senate commended the recent closure of seven illegal factories and suspension of lead ingot exports, but insisted the response must now go nationwide to prevent similar tragedies elsewhere.
A compliance report has been demanded within six weeks.
