In a decisive move to address environmental and public health concerns in Ogijo, the Ogun State Government has inaugurated a 15-member Joint Monitoring Committee to oversee activities linked to alleged lead poisoning from Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB) recycling operations.

Speaking at the inauguration, Commissioner for Environment Dr. Ola Oresanya said the committee would function as a direct accountability bridge between the government and the host community. Members were selected based on their proximity to the recycling facilities and their active involvement in recent community engagement sessions.

Beyond oversight, the committee is tasked with monitoring environmental compliance, reporting health-related concerns, and ensuring transparency in remediation efforts. Oresanya made it clear that while ULAB operators may be conditionally reopened, strict adherence to environmental, health and safety standards remains non-negotiable. Facilities that fail to meet regulatory benchmarks will not resume operations.

The General Manager of Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, pledged institutional backing for the committee’s mandate, while the South-West Director of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr. Jack Peniel, assured strict national regulatory enforcement.

Traditional leadership also weighed in, with the Ologijo of Ogijo urging operators to prioritise community health and calling on committee members to execute their duties diligently.

The formation of the committee signals a structured, community-inclusive strategy: economic activity may continue, but not at the expense of public health or environmental integrity.