Air pollution: Ogun Govt commences air quality check over lead contamination
The experts during the air quality monitoring exercise in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area…Photo Credit: Ola Oresanya
Ogun government expresses commitment to the protection of public health through proactive environmental governance.
The Ogun State Government has commenced a comprehensive air quality monitoring exercise in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area, following concerns over the impact of lead pollution linked to used lead-acid battery operations in the area and neighbouring Lagos border communities.
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, disclosed this in a statement shared on X (Formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, saying the exercise was recommended as part of an investigation into the “accumulated impact of lead” in Ogijo.
According to Oresanya, the monitoring is being carried out by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with researchers from the University of Lagos, officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency and the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency.
“Yesterday, the ministry, alongside partner agencies and researchers, commenced a comprehensive air quality monitoring exercise across selected metal manufacturing facilities,” the commissioner said.
He explained that three companies, True Metals Ltd, Vedanta Metals and Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Ltd, were assessed using high-volume samplers for particulate matter, including PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀, as well as real-time monitoring equipment to measure noise levels, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and other parameters.
Oresanya noted that the exercise would run for three consecutive days, adding that “strict monitoring protocols are in place to ensure credible, science-based environmental data in line with government standards.”
He said the initiative underscored the state government’s commitment to “protecting public health through proactive environmental governance.”
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of environmental practices around ULAB operations in Ogijo.
Ogun State Government had earlier suspended three environmental consultancy firms, Vyne Nurt Limited, Core Environmental Services Limited and Saag Chemicals Nigeria Limited, over negligence and culpability in alleged acid battery pollution linked to closed ULAB recycling companies in the area.
Recall, the state government also conducted free lead poisoning tests for residents of Ogijo, following concerns over possible contamination from seven recently shut-down Used Lead Acid Battery recycling industries.
This came after a viral video raised alarm over possible contamination in the area, prompting the temporary suspension of ingot exports from the state.
Oresanya had said the firms were found wanting during a process audit, noting that required pollution abatement devices were either not installed or not properly reported to the state government.
