NGO begins cleanup in FCT

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), started cleanup at Jabi Lake Mall , Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday.

The Executive Director of the NGO, Mr Oghenemere Orugbo, supervised the exercise and said that the aim was to create awareness on the dangers of living in a filthy environment.

The operation was determined to rid the environment of heaps of refuse.

“The Jabi lake cleanup which became imperative is occasioned by the unacceptable amount of waste, mostly plastic waste carelessly dumped into the lake.

“The waste are dropped by fun-seekers and residents around the only lake situated within Abuja metropolis.

“The cleanup is basically the physical removal of plastic and other waste materials collected in cellophane bags, and for proper disposal.

“Participants were drawn from a pool of volunteers, members and trustees of the organisation, as well as our well-wishers,’’ Orugbo explained.

He said that the organisation decided to choose Jabi lake for the cleanup because it was the only lake in Abuja metropolis and the most popular location for fun-seekers in the FCT.

Orugbo said the organisation was also planning to conduct a survey and documentary on air pollution by quarries within the FCT.

He added that the SPP would educate people on the dangers of tree cutting and several other climate change education and awareness campaigns for selected schools in the country.

The executive director advised the government to collaborate with other relevant stakeholders for effective protection of the environment in the country.

He also urged residents to always ensure that the environment was clean and healthy to prevent sicknesses and diseases.

Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, Secretary to Fishermen Community, who spoke on behalf of the community, thanked the organisation for its good gesture, adding that the effort had encouraged the residents to do what was right.

Mohammed appealed to the government and other relevant stakeholders to support the NGO by providing sanitary facilities and other necessary items needed to ensure that the environment remained clean.

He said that the effort would help to protect the residents from contracting diseases and bring about development in the area.

MTO/The Sun