Security operatives attached to the Jos Water Services Corporation (JWSC) have apprehended 44 people involved in illegal mining around the Lamingo water dam site, one of its raw sources.
JWSC Managing Director, Apollos Samchi said activities of illegal miners posed a significant threat to the supply of potable water.
Samchi said the illegal activities around the dam—mining, irrigation farming, and block moulding posed a serious threat to the quality of raw water.
The corporation’s managing director added that their activities caused various chemicals and heavy metals to leak into the raw water source.
Samchi said this could hamper the state government’s strategic investment in ensuring the provision of potable water in the metropolis and environs.
“You see, the illegal miners are mining directly at the bank of the dam, whereby all the residues go directly into the water. Aside from the water being polluted, some of the heavy metals from the mined minerals cannot be treated, which is also a health threat,” the official said.
Samchi said the corporation had warned people against illegal activities before the raid to vacate the site. He said JWSC hired the NSCDC to ensure security at the site.
The corporation wants the state government to erect a perimeter fence to secure the dam from invasion and land grabbers.
The 44 persons arrested by men of the NSCDC would be prosecuted. Samchi pleaded with residents to stop engaging in illegal activities at the facility.
