Senate orders NCDC and NEMA to deploy medical teams and clean-up operations to combat Ogijo lead-poisoning crisis affecting children and adults
The Nigerian Senate has directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to take immediate action against the lead-poisoning crisis in Ogijo, a border town between Ogun and Lagos states.
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The directive followed a motion by Senator Tokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East District, who described the situation as a national public health emergency.
“No community in our country should be exposed to hazardous industrial practices, and the situation in Ogijo demands urgent national attention,” Abiru said during plenary.
The Senate commended the Federal, Lagos, and Ogun state governments for their prompt engagement and collaborative response to the crisis.
The Senate mandated NCDC to deploy emergency medical teams for free toxicology screening and provide continuous treatment for affected children and adults.
In addition, the agency is required to conduct detailed environmental remediation and contamination mapping in the town.
NEMA has been instructed to deliver emergency relief, including food support, clean water interventions, and other necessary assistance to Ogijo residents.
The measures aim to address the immediate health hazards posed by lead exposure while laying the groundwork for long-term environmental and public health safety.
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The Senate’s decisive action underscores the government’s commitment to protecting communities from industrial pollutants and mitigating the potentially severe health impacts of toxic exposure.
