…Plans To Check Mining Mishaps

The Federal Government ,yesterday said that the analysis of the recent lead poisoning in Zamfara would be used to checkmate future occurrence of mining-related incidents in the country.

Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, stated this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

Chukwu noted that the incident brought to the fore the need for stronger surveillance system in the health sector.

He said that the Presidency had set up a committee, comprising the ministries of solid minerals, health, water resources and labour, to look into the case.

He said that the ministry planned to involve school children in the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLIN) as a strategy to ensure the usage of such nets among children.

The minister noted that involving children would make them imbibe the habit of using nets.

He added that the involvement of pupils would assist in reducing malaria attacks since they would always comply with their teachers’ and parents’ instructions.