Urges FG to approve funds for Shikira, others affected by Lead poisoning

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

ABUJA—THE Senate yesterday mandated its Committee on Solid Minerals to begin the process of   reviewing   the 2007 Mining Act to reflect present realities in the sector as it affects local communities and artisanal miners.

The Senate  also asked the Federal Government to urgently approve and release the needed intervention funds from the ecological funds office for urgent remediation of lead poisoning to help save Shikira   and affected communities in Niger State.

Also yesterday, the upper chamber called on the federal government, the ministries of health, solid minerals and environment   to remediate the environment and promote safer mining programmes for artisanal miners.

These resolutions were sequel to a motion by Senator David Umaru, APC, Niger East, on the “Urgent Remediation of Lead Poisoning in Shinkira Community of Niger State, Nigeria and Co- Sponsored by all Senators.

Earlier in his presentation, Senator Umaru, noted that he was   shocked at the survey result of the Federal Ministry of Health which confirmed that 149 children under age five, were tested for lead.

He said the Senate was worried that environmental testing of residential buildings during the same survey indicated that there was  severe contamination of the environment.

He said:   “Early childhood exposure has been linked to violent criminal behaviour later in early adult life.

“It is estimated that childhood lead exposure is costing developing countries $992 billion annually due to reduction in IQ’s and earning potential according to a new study published recently.

“The potential of lead poisoning to irrevocably inflict long term neurocognitive deficits on generations is not in doubt.  There is need to urgently address this issue of national importance.

“This is a community that is already living below the poverty line. All the children are already infected by this epidermic.”