The Zamfara Crisis

In March 2010 an unprecedented epidemic of lead poisoning was discovered in Zamfara State, northern Nigeria. Around 400 children died as a result of lead absorption from artisanal gold mining and processing. While medical care has been provided to over 2,500 children, and seven villages have been remediated (environmentally cleaned), much remains to be done. Significant remediation is still needed in new sites, and this combined with continued contamination from unsafe mining and processing practices means children – and adults – remain at risk of lead poisoning.

Medical treatment has temporarily controlled mortality, but resolving the crisis requires more than this. The root cause of the lead poisoning crisis is unsafe mining and ore processing. Broad implementation of safer mining and ore processing across Zamfara State is the only long-term solution to the crisis.

Funds to tackle the Zamfara lead poisoning crisis – with a specific focus on the remediation of Bagega – were promised by the President in May 2012, but have unfortunately not yet been released by the Secretary of the Government of the Federation.

The devastating consequences of this inaction are most sharply seen in the village of Bagega and surrounding areas, where up to 1500 children continue to needlessly suffer the effects of lead poisoning. Medical treatment cannot start until Bagega has been environmentally remediated. Remediation is a process which removes lead from the home environment. In the absence of remediation, children are continually re-exposed to the toxins and medical treatment is useless.

Until these funds are released to the appropriate agencies on the ground in Zamfara State, environmental remediation in Bagega cannot begin. MSF is ready and willing to treat children in this area, but is unable to do so until the urgently needed remediation has been completed.

Remediation was due to begin at the end of October 2012, directly after the present rainy season. If remediation is not started by the beginning of 2013, it will not be possible to complete the process before the next rainy season- and poisoned children won’t receive treatment for the foreseeable future.

Plans for remediation are in place
TerraGraphics, an internationally-recognised remediation company, led the successful remediation of seven villages in Zamfara state in 2010. The Federal and State ministries of the Environment have developed a plan with the company to ensure that local Nigerian expertise and employment will be used.

TerraGraphics does not wish to undertake the remediation themselves, but rather to certify the remediation, while the work itself will be carried out by Nigerian staff who have been specially trained in remediation by TerraGraphics. TerraGraphics employs rigorous scientific standards in its remediation methods. These are adapted specifically to lead contamination and address the particular challenges that this type of pollution presents. The results are verified using X-ray photospectrometry and in accordance with the best scientific practices used in environmental remediation worldwide.

TerraGraphics, Doctors Without Borders and local stakeholders are all ready to start work immediately upon the release of the funds. Both organisations have been collaborating with Government agencies and ministries to assure there is a system in place that is effective, accountable, transparent and that will guarantee the very best outcomes for the population of Bagega.

Accountability in spending
Previous funds provided by the Government for the remediation disappeared before they reached Bagega. This must not happen again. The people of Bagega village, as well as Nigerian tax payers deserve accountability in their public spending.

The Follow the Money campaign calls on all public agencies to uphold the public interest through accountable and transparent management of these funds. We invite the public to get involved in the Campaign today. Help us follow the money to Bagega!