Due to the failure of the Federal Government to take care of people affected by lead poisoning, the Senate on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to appear it.
The decision of the Senate to summon Fayemi was as result of the motion sponsored by Senator Remi Tinubu and seconded by Senator Magnus Abe.
Leading debate on the motion, Senator Tinubu lamented that only eight out the 38 communities affected had any remediation.
She said: “Only eight (8) of the thirty eight (38) affected communities in Zamfara State have had any remediation carried out with the effect that too many Nigerians are suffering, unable to access effective medical treatment for the resulting ailments, losing loved ones and suffering deformities of varying degrees;
“The report of Medecin Sans Frontier (MSF) wherein thousands were reported to have been affected and in need of treatment.”
Tinubu said the due to paucity of funds, MSF and other civil society organisations have pulled out of the area affected by the lead poisoning.
After exhaustive debate on the motion, the Senate resolved to invite the Minister to brief the lawmakers on the situation report in that area.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over Tuesday’s plenary, said the Senate is aware of the illegal mining in that area, adding that it is the responsibility of the Senate to ensure that people in the areas are protected.