Nigeria has pledged its full support to the global campaign against lead poisoning, with a focus on protecting vulnerable citizens from the devastating effects of lead exposure.
The country’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, announced new initiatives during the Lead-Free Future event, held by UNICEF and USAID alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
At the event, Dr Alake revealed that Nigeria is gearing up to procure advanced equipment for detecting lead in communities affected by lead poisoning, particularly in areas where gold mining and other mineral activities are prevalent.
He emphasized the importance of public awareness about the dangers of lead exposure in mining and advocated for a more aggressive approach to cleaning up contaminated sites, which is crucial for safeguarding child and maternal health.
Dr Alake also highlighted the ministry’s commitment to incorporating lead reduction strategies into local mineral processing, ensuring that the harmful substance is minimized in value-added processes.
USAID’s representative, Dr Casey Bartrem, welcomed Nigeria’s commitment, showcasing rock samples collected from Zamfara State, where a major lead poisoning incident had occurred.
Dr Bartrem expressed hope that the collaboration between USAID and Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development would lead to significant strides in reducing lead contamination in the extraction and processing of minerals.
