By: Tijani Salako.
The Ogun State Government has intensified its ongoing environmental remediation exercise in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area, with the evacuation of illegally dumped lead slags from affected communities as part of efforts to tackle lead contamination in the industrial town.
This was disclosed in an official statement issued by the Information and Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Mr Luke Adebesin, who said the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Hon. Kehinde Bello, emphasised the government’s commitment to restoring Ogijo’s environmental integrity and protecting residents from the dangers of hazardous industrial waste.
The remediation exercise, which began earlier in the week, is part of the state government’s sustained intervention to address environmental concerns linked to lead contamination and other hazardous materials within the community.
According to OGEPA, the evacuation of illegally dumped slags is aimed at removing potential sources of lead pollution from the environment and reducing the health risks posed to residents, workers and other stakeholders.
The agency described the exercise as a key component of the government’s broader plan to restore the environmental health of Ogijo and ensure that communities affected by industrial activities enjoy a safer and healthier environment.
Speaking on the exercise, Hon. Bello reassured residents that the state government remained determined to achieve a comprehensive clean-up of the affected areas.
He said OGEPA would continue to deploy appropriate environmental management measures to address identified sources of contamination, noting that the removal of illegally dumped slags remains an important part of the ongoing remediation process.
Hon. Bello also urged residents and stakeholders to support the exercise by cooperating with OGEPA officials and refraining from indiscriminate dumping of industrial waste and slags that could further contaminate the environment.
He reiterated the Ogun State Government’s commitment to sustaining the clean-up exercise until all affected areas are adequately remediated, with the goal of restoring Ogijo to a safe, healthy and environmentally sustainable industrial community.
