Zamfara Govt Takes Over Affairs Of Lead Poisoning Activities In The State

Speaking at the handing over and taking over ceremony, the State Acting Governor Distinguished Senator Hassan Muhammad ,(Jarman Gusau) said the present administration of His Excellency Governor Dr Bello Muhammad (Matawalle Maradun) would continue to recognise the twelve years old project embarked upon by Medicines Sans Frontierers,MSF, (Doctors Without Boarders)in the State since 2010.

The Deputy Governor, on behalf of his Principal, assured the officials of the SMF that the structure put in place and other facilities provided for the protection against the spread of lead poisoning in the local communities affected would be properly sustained and managed by the government in order to ensure that all the resources invested are not wasted.

Senator Hassan Muhammad Gusau, in line with the compliance of quick application of sustainability strategies of the project, announced the immediate constitution of a committee responsible for the management of lead poisoning activities in the State.

Senator Gusau, on behalf of the Government and good people of Zamfara State, thanked the Medicin Sans Frontierers for partnering with the State Government in the areas of enhancing health care service delivery and building the capacity of people for safer mining activities in the affected communities. He also commended the fatherly hospitality accorded to SMF and other international organisations by His Royal Highness Emir of Anka Sarkin Zamfara Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, CON, through working towards controlling the dangers of lead poisoning.

Earlier Speaking, the Project Coordinator Dr Benjamim Janeiro Mwangombe, on behalf of their Country Director, expressed the organization’s appreciation to Governor Bello Matawalle for giving them the required political will since the inception of his administration which, according to him, contributed a lot to their successful rounding up of the project as scheduled.

Dr Benjamim further called on the State Government to ensure close monitoring of the project and supporting it whenever the need arises for sustainability of its purpose. He further promised to always be very much available for morecontributions as may be required.

In attendance at the occasion were the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe (Lamidon Kaura), State Head of Service Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Gayari, Emir of Anka Sarkin Zamfara Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad CON, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Pharmacist Aliyu Maikiyo Maradun, Director Solid Minerals in the State Ministry of Environment, Mines and Solid Minerals Development Alhaji Kabiru Musa Morai, among many critical stakeholders.

From a statement signed by the Comrade Babangida Umar Zurmi, ANIPR, Director-General Press Affairs, Deputy Governor’s Office, Zamfara State, a copy of which was made available to the Spectacles on 11/05/2022.