National Assembly directs NCDC to resolve lead poisoning in Lagos

• No room for health hazard, says Abiru

The Senate has directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to deploy emergency medical teams for free toxicology screening, and continuous treatment of children and adults in Ogijo, which is being rattled by lead poisoning.

The directive followed the motion by Senate Tokunbo Abiru, who directed the attention of the Senate to the lead-poisoning crisis in Ogijo, a boundary town between Ogun and Lagos states, during plenary.

Describing lead poisoning as a national public health emergency, the senator from Lagos East District said “no community in our country should be exposed to hazardous industrial practices, and the situation in Ogijo demands urgent national attention.”

The Senate commended the Federal, Lagos and Ogun state governments for their active engagement and swift responses and collaborative actions.

It mandated the NCDC to deploy emergency medical teams for free toxicology screening, and continuous treatment of children and adults in the affected town.

NCDC was also mandated to do a detailed environmental remediation and contamination mapping exercise.

The Senate also directed NEMA to provide emergency relief and food support, clean water intervention to Ogijo residents.