By Abbas Nazil
The SHELTON Climate Awareness Initiative (SCAI), in partnership with the Global Plastic Action Partnership, has carried out an environmental cleanup exercise at Liberty Water Dam in Jos to combat the rising challenge of plastic pollution and protect biodiversity.
According to the founder, Mrs. Lara Eseyin, the exercise was designed not only to rid the dam of plastic waste but also to protect water quality, since the dam serves as a raw water source for the Jos Water Services Corporation (JWSC).
She explained that the effort goes beyond cleaning, as the organization is also raising environmental awareness and driving behavioral change campaigns to reduce the menace of plastics.
As part of the initiative, 100 recycling bins have been distributed across the Jos-Bukuru metropolis to encourage waste segregation, recycling, and eco-friendly practices within local communities.
The NGO’s Director of Operations, Mr. Frank Eseyin, stressed that the cleanup exercise will be conducted every quarter to sustain environmental protection efforts and prevent further degradation of the dam.
Commending the initiative, JWSC Managing Director, Mr. Apollos Samchi, highlighted that Liberty Dam faces increasing threats from farming, illegal mining, and block-making industries.
He revealed that the state government spent ₦1.2 billion in 2025 on water treatment chemicals to keep water safe, attributing the high cost largely to pollution and human activities.
Samchi called on residents to take environmental conservation seriously, warning that protecting water sources is vital for long-term sustainable development.
The cleanup also extended to Jos Wildlife Park, Maiadiko Market, and the Abattoir Market, where residents were sensitized on reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic.
Community members were urged to embrace eco-friendly lifestyles, with emphasis on cutting down single-use plastics to safeguard both the environment and public health.
