Ogun State Launches Clean-Up for Lead Contamination

The Ogun State Government has commenced a remediation exercise in Ogijo following investigations into alleged lead contamination linked to used lead-acid battery recycling facilities. This initiative was announced in a statement on Sunday and follows a process audit of the recycling facilities, including tests on soil, water, air, and residents’ blood samples.

Kehinde Bello, General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), stated that the government is evacuating hazardous slag illegally dumped in surrounding communities, a process expected to take weeks. The government has mandated recycling facilities to upgrade operations by using automatic battery breakers to minimize slag generation and comply with state standards on slag management.

Babatunde Lawal, Director of Hazardous Material Management at OGEPA, indicated that the remediation will also involve bioremediation through planting vegetation to absorb lead contamination. Tunde Bolarinwa, Director of Inspectorate and Compliance at OGEPA, emphasized that the agency will monitor compliance with new operational guidelines, with sanctions for non-compliance.

This remediation follows the establishment of a 15-member Joint Monitoring Committee to oversee the activities of the recycling facilities.