The Ogun State Government has intensified efforts to tackle lead contamination in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area, with the ongoing evacuation of illegally dumped slags from affected communities.
The remediation exercise, being carried out by the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), commenced earlier in the week as part of the government’s efforts to address environmental concerns associated with lead contamination and other hazardous materials in the industrial town.
The evacuation of the illegally dumped slags is aimed at removing potential sources of lead contamination from the environment and reducing the risks posed to residents, workers and other stakeholders in the affected communities.
Speaking on the exercise, the General Manager of OGEPA, Hon. Kehinde Bello, reassured residents of the state government’s determination to achieve a comprehensive clean-up of the affected areas.
Bello said OGEPA would continue to deploy appropriate environmental management measures to address identified sources of contamination, stressing that the evacuation of illegally dumped slags remained a critical component of the ongoing remediation process.
He urged residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with OGEPA officials and refrain from activities capable of further contaminating the environment, particularly the indiscriminate dumping of industrial waste and slags.
The OGEPA General Manager further reiterated the commitment of the Ogun State Government to sustaining the remediation exercise until the affected areas are adequately cleaned up.
He assured residents that the ultimate objective of the exercise is to restore Ogijo to a safe, healthy and environmentally sustainable industrial community.
