Date: 2013-04-10

The Chairman Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki representing Kwara Central Senatorial District has expressed reasonable satisfaction on the progress recorded so far in the remediation exercise going on in the lead poison ravaged area of Bagega and other communities in Zamfara State.

It will be recalled that Senator Bukola Saraki, leading the Senate Committee had on 24th of January 2013 paid a courtesy visit to Bagega with a view to have on the spot's assessment of the situation of lead poisoning ravaging the affected communities and also to review how best to enable relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Environment deal with the environmental challenge in the area.

Senator Saraki who had earlier made a plea to the Federal Government on behalf of the 1500 children who were on death threathning condition, urged the immediate release of funds for remediation to avoid further loss of lives. In a swift response, the Federal Government, through the ministry of finance did announce that funds will be released towards the remediation of the affected communities in Zamfara State.

Distinguish Senator further said he is delighted to learn that over One Hundred and Sixty Five (165) Bagega compounds have been remediated while work is still in progress to remediate another thirty One (31) compounds, thereby, leaving about One Hundred and Seven (107) areas left to be remediated before the raining season commence.

While commending the Federal Government for providing funds for the remediation exercise, Senator Saraki expresses his optimism that the fund will be judiciously used to complete the remediation of other areas affected. He also extol the level of professionalism and commitment displayed by Medecines Sans Frontieres/ Doctors without border in their prompt attention to the communities affected since 2010 and urge for cooperation amongst the indigens of the affected communities.

Senator Saraki further expresses his appreciation to TerraGrapics International foundation and Inter-ministerial Committee on Lead Poison, the ministry of finance and everyone involved in the remediation campaign exercise. He conveys his profound gratitude to the Emir of Zamfara, His Royal Majesty, Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad for providing an enabling environment to carry out the needed exercise to ensure a clean and safe environment for the young children and the people of Zamfara.

Finally, Saraki urge the Federal Government to proactively seek ways of incorporating those into illegal miners into legal framework by providing teaching mechanism on safer mining techniques which will help to avoid the sharp practices that lead to this environmental disaster.