The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker during engagement with the residents of Ogijo
Elegbede Abiodun
The Ogun State Government has started an independent and comprehensive health audit of residents of Ogijo in Sagamu Local Government Area, following concerns over possible lead exposure in the community.
Last November, the state government said that seven factories involved in lead-acid battery recycling on the Ogijo axis of the state had been shut down due to possible lead poisoning.
The government equally announced the temporary suspension of lead ingot exportation pending a full investigation into alleged lead contamination in this community.
The decision was said to have been taken after an on-the-spot inspection of the community, led by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya, following a viral video that raised concerns about possible lead poisoning.
The government also initiated environmental audits and commenced regulatory reviews to safeguard public health and restore public confidence.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, in a statement on Monday, disclosed the commencement of the health audit during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Ologijo’s Palace after the completion of blood sample collection from over 500 scientifically selected residents to determine their Blood Lead Levels.
Dr Coker said that the global attention that followed reports by some international media organisations had placed the community in the international spotlight and necessitated a deliberate and structured government response.
She explained that “shortly after the reports emerged, both the Ministries of Health and Environment visited the communities to allay fears and outline a clear monitoring, evaluation and response framework.
“The Ministry of Environment proceeded with environmental audits and assessments following the closure of companies identified to pose potential risks.
“The health sector deliberately adopted a scientific approach to its audit process. His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, directed that the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research be engaged to independently conduct the study to ensure the authenticity, transparency, and global credibility of the findings.
“We have ensured that NIMR is working independently to deliver unbiased results, and once the report is received, appropriate recommendations will be submitted to the Governor for necessary action.”
The commissioner added that “NIMR commenced fieldwork in the community last week and has collected over 500 blood samples using a stratified scientific methodology, covering individuals previously identified with elevated blood lead levels, pregnant women, lactating mothers, children and other residents within the mapped areas of the community.”
While acknowledging that some facilities that had earlier been sealed had since been reopened by the Ministry of Environment following compliance reviews, Coker stated that the Ministry of Health would institute a monitoring protocol requiring periodic blood lead level testing for workers in the affected industries to ensure they are not exposed to health risks.
She further assured the traditional leadership and residents that the Governor remains mindful of their welfare, noting that the government would continue to engage the community and collaboratively develop sustainable solutions based on the outcome of the scientific audit.
In his remarks, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the NIMR, Prof. Oladipo Obafunwa, stated that the institute deployed a professional team to conduct the exercise in line with established scientific standards.
Prof Obafunwa explained that the sampling process was carefully designed to ensure representation across vulnerable groups and to ensure that laboratory analysis would be handled with the highest level of integrity, with findings presented objectively.
Responding on behalf of residents, the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Kazeem Gbadamosi, appreciated the state government for its timely intervention and transparent engagement with the residents.
Oba Gbadamosi assured the community of cooperation, expressing confidence that the outcome of the audit would provide clarity and reassurance to the people.
