The Nigerian Youth Cli-mate Action Network (NYCAN) has  appealed to the Federal Government to release the money meant for lead poison in Zamfara.

A statement issued in Abuja by the NYCAN Advisor, Mr Hamzat Lawal, after a social media campaign in collaboration with Human Rights Watch, stated that the poisoning had left thousands of children to die or face lifelong disability.

He said that the release of the fund would enable the clean-up of the lead-contaminated areas in the state.

“If President Jonathan does not release the fund right away, children in Bagega will be forced to continue to live in poisoned homes.

“Children in Bagega are dying. If we wait for another year to clean up the poisoned areas, more children will die or become permanently disabled.’’

The statement quoted Mr Babatunde Olugboji, the Deputy Programme Director; Human Rights Watch, as saying that more than 400 children had lost their lives to the mayhem.

“More than 400 children in Zamfara have died from lead poisoning and unless the promised funds are released immediately, clean up of the contaminated areas won’t start until after next year’s rainy season and more children are at risk.”

The statement noted that artisanal gold mines were found throughout the state, adding that high levels of lead in the earth and the use of rudimentary mining methods had resulted in an ongoing epidemic of lead poisoning among children.

It said children were particularly susceptible to the harm caused by lead and high levels of lead exposure could cause brain, liver, kidney, nerve, and stomach damage, as well as permanent disabilities.

The statement said that a research by Human Rights Watch in Zamfara in late 2011 found that children were exposed to lead when they process ore in the mines, when their miner relatives’ return home covered with lead dust, and when the lead-filled ore is manually or mechanically crushed at home. Children could also be exposed to toxic lead in contaminated water and food.

“We have reached a crisis point in Zamfara. Thousands of children live in toxic environment and are in urgent need of treatment.

“President Jonathan needs to make good his promise and release the promised funds before the window of opportunity before the rainy season closes. But he needs to act fast.”

The statement also quoted Human Rights Watch researchers in May as saying that the government pledged close to US$5 million to clean up the contaminated areas. It said that the Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF), an independent international organisation for medical humanitarian aid had provided life-saving treatment to more than 2,000 children in Zamfara.