Remediation of the lead poisoned Bagega in Zamfara state has finally begun following several attempts after the death of over 400 children in 2010.

A statement issued by Follow the Money (FTM) team, a not -or -profit group that has been advocating for the release of funds to remediate Bagega since October 2012 enjoins all stakeholders to keep up with the momentum at which remediation has started, in order to avoid any delay.

“As much as we are grateful to the federal government and everyone that ensured the release of funds, and the start of clean up, accountability and transparency should be upheld, otherwise remediation might be stalled and we will have to start all over again,” said Oludotun  Babayemi, Co -creator of the group.

“On Sunday, February 10, 3 vehicles and nine staff  were received from the Zamfara Ministry of Environment to proceed with preliminary remediation activities and on Monday, February 11, 2013, testing of compounds where the remediation and medical team of Doctors Without Borders would be staying commenced,” said Simba Tirima of TerraGraphics Environmental Engineering, “We would not want to be called again in five years for the remediation of a community in Zamfara, as such the three arms of government should come up with a policy framework that will encourage safer mining practices amongst the artisanal miners,”  Said Tirima It will be recalled that in 2013, the Federal Government of Nigeria approved the release of about N850 million from the Ecological Funds to be distributed amongst the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, mainly for the remediation of communities affected by lead poisoning in Zamfara state.