The welfare and security of the people shall be the primary purpose of government:- Section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution

OUR leaders swear to protect our lives and property but like most of their promises, they fail at the critical moments. When there are crises, the weaknesses of our security and emergency structures are obvious.

The death of a person, ordinarily, should be a cause of concern, particularly where the death was avoidable. It is therefore alarming that the authorities ignored the activities that led to the death of hundreds of Nigerians from lead poisoning in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas of Zamfara State.

Since last March, according to the State government, it had been receiving reports of death of children. Tests of blood samples indicated lead poisoning. The death toll has risen to 300, including 111 children.

Deaths resulted from leakage of lead ore from illegal gold mining pits. Children, who are more at risk because their systems are not fully developed, contacted the lead though inhaling, eating compromised food, drinking water from poisoned sources or by putting hands in their mouths after touching mining equipment.

Exposure to high levels of lead can damage the brain and nervous system. It causes reproductive problems and high blood pressure. Over exposure to lead causes seizures, comas and death, if not detected on time.  The lead, separated from the gold during mining, has contaminated the local water supplies too. The major fear remains that the deaths could continue unless the villagers have safe water supplies.

State Commissioner for Health Idris Saa’d said the N240 million the State government approved would be used for purchase of drugs and other infection control facilities, excavation and disposal of contaminated soil.

The Federal Ministry of Health has joined the Zamfara State Ministry of Health, Doctors without Borders, the Red Cross, World Health Organisation and Centre for Disease Control on the matter.

None of these moves would restore the lost lives. Once again governments failed to protect our people because governance has long ceased to be about the security and welfare of the people as the Constitution provides. Governments essentially serve themselves and their few friends.

Governments’ poor understanding of its responsibilities to the people is clear in this case. No efforts are being made to arrest the illegal miners who the villagers claim have not stopped, not minding the deaths. How then would these measures halt the deaths?

Security agencies are busy chasing petty thieves. The owners of these illegal mines, whose illegality has caused the deaths of hundreds and left the future of others impaired, are getting away with their loot because governments do not care.

Responses to these tragedies are token, even insulting. The deaths are enough reasons to go after the illegal miners and prosecute them, but government has no such interest.

It is more baffling that government, with its dwindling revenue watches as thieves devastate Nigeria’s solid minerals, littering the landscape with diseases and deaths.