- Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has lauded his Ogun state counterpart, Ola Oresanya, over the suspension of lead ingot exportation and sealing of seven facilities implicated in used lead-acid battery recycling.
Oresanya, the Ogun the State Commissioner of Environment, had yesterday called for an immediate, temporary suspension of lead ingot exportation pending a full investigation into alleged lead contamination in the Ogijo area of Sagamu Local Government.
This reportedly followed an on-the-spot inspection in Ogijo after a viral video raised concerns about possible lead poisoning in the Lagos-Ogun border community.
Oresanya had led a combined team of experts from the Ministries of Environment and Health, the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
During the visit, the Ogun Commissioner ordered the closure of seven industries involved in Used Lead-Acid Battery recycling within the Ogijo axis.
He announced that the state will immediately commence a comprehensive Health and Process Audit of the affected facilities which will include testing for lead levels in humans, soil, air, and water sources across the industrial community.
Reacting to the development in a post on his X handle on Saturday, Wahab commended Ogunsanya for the action, stressing that it sent a strong message that environmental safety and public health must never be compromised.
The Lagos Commissioner assured the Ogun state government of inter-state collaboration to address cross-boundary pollution, strengthen compliance, and ensure that industrial operations within the corridor between both states meet required environmental standards.
The post read; I want to commend my colleague, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, and the Ogun State Government for the decisive steps taken in response to the reported lead contamination incident in Ogijo, Sagamu.
“The temporary suspension of lead ingot exports, alongside the immediate shutdown of seven facilities implicated in Used Lead-Acid Battery recycling, sends a strong message that environmental safety and public health must never be compromised.
“Environmental protection knows no borders. Lagos State stands ready to collaborate with Ogun State to address cross-boundary pollution, strengthen compliance, and ensure that industrial operations within the corridor between both states meet required environmental standards.
“As we continue to enforce sanitation laws, improve waste systems, restore drainage infrastructure, and expand environmental monitoring across Lagos, we remain committed to building a safer and healthier region for the millions who live and work across our interconnected states.
“Together, we can protect our people, safeguard our environment, and ensure that development does not come at the cost of public health.”