Nigeria Content Online

Following reports
that almost 300 people have died in Zamfara state in the past three
months from lead poisoning, the Action Congress has asked the federal
government to stop illegal mining activities in the country.

In a statement
issued in Ilorin, Kwara state on Monday by Lai Mohammed, its National
Publicity Secretary, the party also asked the federal government to
move quickly to complement the efforts of the Zamfara government in
providing medical assistance to those affected by the illegal mining
activities, in addition to helping the affected communities to restore
their devastated environment The party said some ‘powerful’ Nigerians
are behind illegal mining, and that the government needs a strong
political will to stop such activities.

“In the five
affected communities in Zamfara, according to media reports, sources of
potable water have been contaminated by lead, leading to the death of
humans and animals, while the environment has been massively degraded
by the non-stop activities of the gold diggers.

“But perhaps the
most devastating effect is the fact that the level of lead poisoning
among children in the communities has been found to be unusually high,
meaning that the children – if they survive – will be subjected to a
life of pain and mental retardation,” the party said.

The Action Congress noted that “No government that is worth its salt
will allow the lives of its future leaders to be wantonly ruined by
unscrupulous people,” and advised the federal government to act
promptly and save the future of the inhabitant of the villages and
other similar areas in the country.