ADVERTISEMENT

Lead poison survivors may have memory problem — Minister

Bwari made this known while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming Nigeria 2nd International Conference on Lead Poison Associated with Artisanal Gold Mining in Nigeria.

Bwari made this known while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming Nigeria 2nd International Conference on Lead Poison Associated with Artisanal Gold Mining in Nigeria.

The conference is scheduled for June 26 and June 27 in Abuja.

The minister explained that children who received lead poison treatment and managed to survive may also have low Intelligent Quotient (IQ), learning disabilities, among others.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the earth’s crust.

Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children; it distribute to the brain, liver, kidney and bones.

It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time.

In 2010, there was lead poisoning outbreak in Zamfara which killed at least 400 people, mostly children.

In 2016, there was another outbreak lead poison in Niger that also killed many children.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to Bwari, there is no real cure for severe lead poison, but it can be prevented; the treatment andenvironmental remediation are very expensive and come with no guarantees.

He said that the only effective long term solution was finding ways to prevent the outbreak of lead poison from happening in the first place.

He, however, added that the forthcoming conference was essentially about developing preventive governance framework that would ensure safe mining practices in Nigeria.

“We are determined to change the behavioural pattern of artisanal gold miners to understand the avoidable risks they put themselves and their families into their unsafe mining practices,” he said.

He said that the idea of the conference was to bring key multi-sector stakeholders to underscore the need for collaborative approach in preventing lead poisoning.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We are expecting experts from different parts of the world to attend the conference and brainstorm on how to find sustainable solutions to lead poison.

“We understand that it will be impossible to stop artisanal gold mining altogether, considering the manpower shortage in the ministry.

“We are therefore engaging miners by showing them how they can benefit more by getting registered and using safer mining methods.’’

Medicine Sans Frontiers, also known as DoctorsWwithout Border, said the organization was ableto address and curtail the spread of lead poison with relevant ministries in the two states.

Dr Simba Tirima, the Deputy Head of the Mission in Nigeria, commended relevant stakeholders for cooperating with the the organization to address and remediate lead poison in Zamfara and Niger.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to him, the organization is ready to deal with the issue holistically to ensure that affected people, especially children, are well treated to eliminate lead poison from their body systems.

He said safer mining could only be the best solution to eradicate lead poison from occurring.

He noted that the cost of the first phase remediation of the lead poison in two villages in Zamfara in 2010 cost N150 million and it was funded by the state government.

He said the second phase of remediation in five villages in the same state cost two million dollars and it was sponsored by the UN.

The third phase of remediation in another village in Zamfara was N470 million in 2013 and it was sponsored by Federal Government, he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

He noted that in 2016, the Federal Government spent N250 million to remediate lead poison that occurred in two villages in Niger.

Dr Abubakar Muazu, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said that the ministry was committed to addressing issues affecting human lives, resulting from artisanal mining.

Muazu said that the ministry would continue to collaborate with Doctors Without Border and other relevant stakeholders to address the menace of lead poison in the country.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

Lagos lawmaker begins road construction in Yaba to ease residents' plights

Lagos lawmaker begins road construction in Yaba to ease residents' plights

Over 100 inmates in Kano seek mercy, review of death sentences

Over 100 inmates in Kano seek mercy, review of death sentences

FG shuts KFC outlet that 'humiliated' Gbenga Daniel's wheelchair-bound son

FG shuts KFC outlet that 'humiliated' Gbenga Daniel's wheelchair-bound son

Reps vow to retrieve sold Govt helicopters, summon aviation ministers

Reps vow to retrieve sold Govt helicopters, summon aviation ministers

Distress of abducted Kuriga school children led to successful rescue - DHQ

Distress of abducted Kuriga school children led to successful rescue - DHQ

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT