The Federal Government has ordered the temporary closure of Junior Secondary School Gui in the Sauka axis of Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory as an emergency response to protect the pupils from air pollution.
The battery of a solar system built in the school premises is found to be emitting gaseous substances which could be injurious to the health of the students.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, the Registrar, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Yakubu Mohammed said the ministry is also taking necessary steps to prevent the escalation of an epidemic in the area.
The solar system was built by the Federal Government to ameliorate the problem of erratic power supply in the school.
The emission of gaseous substances from solar batteries has however raised health concerns
According to environmental health experts, the batteries contain gaseous elements such as Sulphur Dioxide and Lead, potentially dangerous to the environment and human health.
The Federal Government says it will engage the services of experts who will dismantle and carry out proper check and repairs on the solar battery system before returning it for further use
(Editor Oloyede Oworu)
