In a decisive move to address concerns over alleged lead poisoning in Ogijo and surrounding areas, the Ogun State Government has inaugurated a 15-member Joint Monitoring Committee to oversee environmental compliance in the community.
The committee, inaugurated by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, is tasked with bridging the gap between the government and the community. Members were strategically selected based on their proximity to Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB) recycling facilities—identified as the suspected source of the pollution—and their active participation in recent community engagements in the area.
According to Dr. Oresanya, the committee will provide localized oversight on the operations of ULAB facilities, facilitate the reporting of environmental and health concerns, and support transparency in remediation and compliance processes.
“Environmental protection cannot be achieved through regulation alone as it requires community vigilance, shared responsibility and mutual trust,” the Commissioner stated. “Therefore, members of this Joint Monitoring Committee have an important mandate to act objectively, responsibly and in the best interest of public health and environmental sustainability. Their roles are also preventive and protective, aimed at ensuring early detection of risk and sustained compliance.”
Dr. Oresanya issued a strong warning to ULAB operators, stressing that economic activities must never compromise human health or environmental integrity.
“To the Used Lead Acid Batteries ULAB operators, let me be unequivocal: your economic activities must never compromise human health or environmental integrity when you are conditionally reopened. Compliance with environmental health and safety standards are mandatory, and any of the facilities that fails to meet prescribed requirements will not be permitted to operate,” he added.
The General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, called on stakeholders to support the government’s efforts in restoring environmental compliance to the Ogijo community and assured the committee of his agency’s full backing.
Speaking at the event, the Ologijo of Ogijo, Oba Kazim Gbadamosi, urged ULAB operators to adhere strictly to environmental safety standards while charging committee members to carry out their responsibilities with diligence.
The South-West Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr. Jack Peniel, also assured that the agency would ensure strict compliance with environmental standards to restore a conducive and safe environment to Ogijo.
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Rotimi Oduniyi & Luke Adebesin
Information and Public Relations Officers, Environment, OGEPA
