Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - The Ogun State Government has announced it will conduct free lead poisoning tests for residents of Ogijo after rising concerns over possible contamination linked to seven Used Lead Acid Battery recycling industries recently shut down. The move follows a viral video that sparked fears of hazardous exposure in the community and prompted the state to temporarily suspend ingot exports.
In a statement, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker,
disclosed that a dedicated Lead Testing Centre has been established at the
Ogijo Primary Health Centre. She confirmed that it “with medical experts and a
full complement of medical equipment has already been set up at the Ogijo
Primary Health Centre and it will commence operation on Monday.” Coker urged
traditional rulers and community leaders to help mobilise residents for the
exercise, stressing that the government “will never trade their well-being for
economic and industrial development and gains.”
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, revealed
that the state will begin a thorough process audit of all seven ULAB firms and
steel factories operating in Ogijo. He warned that “any company that fails the
Process Audit will be shut down permanently until they comply one hundred per
cent with the new recommended process.” Oresanya appealed to community leaders
to prioritise health and refrain from defending industries caught violating
environmental standards, saying “this is not the time to play politics with
government good intentions but the best period to prioritise their health,
welfare and well-being and stop pleading for Industries when government’s
hammer falls on them for environmental infractions.”
He further cautioned residents against siting factories
within residential neighbourhoods, adding that the government “will not give
approval for building of industries in residential areas” and insisting that
those wanting to establish such facilities “go to Industrial clusters.”
Representing the Ologijo of Ogijo, Chief Sunday Lawal
expressed gratitude to the government for what he described as a decisive
intervention. He called the response a “timely response to the alleged lead
poisoning from a viral video in the town through the shutting of seven ULAB
companies and the conduct of free lead tests to residents.” Community
Development Association leaders also pledged to sensitise residents and support
the government’s public health measures as authorities move to assess and contain
any potential contamination.
0 Comments