Ogun inaugurates 15-member committee to tackle alleged lead pollution in Ogijo

The Ogun State Government has inaugurated a 15-member Joint Monitoring Committee to address environmental concerns in Ogijo and surrounding communities, particularly allegations of lead poisoning linked to Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB) recycling facilities operating in the area.

The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, who inaugurated the committee, said the initiative is part of the state’s broader efforts to eliminate pollution and safeguard public health in Ogijo.

According to him, members of the committee were strategically selected based on their residential proximity to the ULAB recycling plants and their active participation during recent community engagement sessions held in Ogijo.

Dr. Oresanya explained that the committee would serve as a liaison between the government and the host community, ensuring localized oversight of ULAB operations and improving transparency in environmental remediation efforts.

He said the committee’s responsibilities include monitoring compliance with environmental standards, facilitating the reporting of health and environmental concerns, and supporting the enforcement of corrective measures where necessary.

“Environmental protection cannot be achieved through regulation alone. It requires community vigilance, shared responsibility and mutual trust,” the Commissioner stated.

He emphasized that the committee members carry a critical mandate to act objectively and in the best interest of public health and environmental sustainability.

“Their roles are preventive and protective, aimed at early detection of environmental risks and sustained compliance,” he added.

Dr. Oresanya also issued a firm warning to operators of Used Lead Acid Battery recycling facilities, stressing that economic activities must not come at the expense of human health or environmental integrity.

He made it clear that facilities conditionally reopened must strictly adhere to environmental health and safety standards.

“Compliance with environmental health and safety standards is mandatory. Any facility that fails to meet prescribed requirements will not be permitted to operate,” he said.

In his remarks, the General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, called on stakeholders to support the state government’s efforts to restore environmental compliance in Ogijo. He pledged the agency’s full cooperation to ensure the committee succeeds in its mandate.

The Ologijo of Ogijo, Oba Kazim Gbadamosi, urged ULAB operators to strictly comply with environmental regulations and encouraged members of the Joint Monitoring Committee to carry out their duties diligently and without bias.

Also speaking, the South-West Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr. Jack Peniel, assured residents that the federal environmental watchdog would enforce strict compliance with national standards.

He noted that NESREA would collaborate with state authorities to restore a safe and conducive environment in Ogijo.

The establishment of the Joint Monitoring Committee signals a coordinated approach by state and federal authorities to address pollution concerns and rebuild public confidence in environmental governance in Ogijo.

Residents and stakeholders expressed hope that sustained monitoring and strict enforcement of standards would prevent future environmental health risks and ensure long-term sustainability in the community.