Ogun To Offer Free Lead Tests For Ogijo Residents Amid Toxicity Concerns

By STELLA JOHNSON OGBOVOVEH

OGUN State has announced a free lead poisoning test for residents of Ogijo, particularly those living near or working in the town’s six recently shut battery-recycling plants. The initiative follows investigative reports by PREMIUM TIMES and The Examination exposing unsafe conditions and widespread lead contamination.

State Health Commissioner Tomi Coker said a fully equipped Lead Testing Centre has been set up at Ogijo Primary Health Centre and will begin operations Monday. She urged community leaders to encourage residents to check their lead levels, emphasizing that public health takes precedence over industrial activity.

The move comes after a series of regulatory actions, including the closure of seven recycling plants by the state and previous inspections revealing hazardous working conditions. The Environment Commissioner, Ola Oresanya, added that process audits of these facilities will start this week, and non-compliant plants face permanent closure.

Officials stressed that residents should prioritize health over economic gains, as the government strengthens enforcement of environmental and industrial standards in the community.