The Jos Water Services Corporation has arrested 44 persons for mining, irrigation farming and block moulding around the Lamingo Dam.
The corporation said the 44 persons’ activities posed a serious threat to the supply of potable water to residents of the state.
Briefing journalists on Wednesday after the arrest, the JWSC Managing Director, Mr Apollos Samchi, said the activities of the miners, irrigation farmers and block moulders resulted in the leak of various chemicals and heavy metals into the raw water source which posed a serious threat to the health of the residents.
He said, ‘‘You see, the illegal miners are mining directly at the bank of the dam, where 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.”
He said the 44 persons who were arrested by men of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps would be charged in court.
Samchi also said that the corporation would appeal to the state government to erect a perimeter fence to secure the dam from encroachment and land grabbers.
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