Photo Credit : CODE
Follow the Money, an advocacy group has hailed the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed on her visit to Shikira community to access projects under construction.
The group also commended the level of development in the community as the first phase of construction is completed and the second kick-starting in week’s time.
The first phase includes the removing of contaminated top soils and spreading of clean soils to restore the soil to the way it was before the lead poisoning saga. The removed top soil was dumped in a temporary dumping site which will then be buried with clay soil coating in a low water level soil.
On challenges facing Shikira community, Follow the Money noted that ‘They need water as they are presently fetching water in more than 20 miles away from their community and the water is not safer as it might likely be contaminated with lead too.’
The community is also to enjoy the ‘state Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Solid Minerals & Mining’s plot (50×100) of land with low water level for the team to bury the contaminated soils.
“The site would be fenced with a restricted area inscription so that the people in the community won’t dug it up later after the contaminated soils have been buried.”
There will also be a geological test to identify a low water levelled soil to bury the contaminated excavated soils.
In conclusion, the group called on the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed to consider handling the project to the hand of trusted officials as she will soon be leaving office so that the monies earmarked for the second phase which is as important as the first phase won’t go missing as there have been some cases of likely misappropriation of the fund by some cabals within the Ministry.
BY: Olumayowa Adeniran
@mayowalive
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