The N8 billion loan being source by Plateau Government from Zenith Bank Plc to boost water supply in Jos metropolis will be repaid by the residents, the state government has said.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Idi Waziri, made this known to newsmen in Jos after the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.
He explained that the repayment would be achieved through a metering system to be put in place soon, saying that the government’s water project would ensure that residents enjoyed 24-hour potable water supply.
?“We are setting up machinery in order to ensure that we recoup the loan from the revenue that will be generated with the water bill.
“So there is going to be metering system and each house will have a meter and that will enable us to recoup the loan.
“So people will be served and at the same time revenue will be generated to enable us pay back the loan.”
Waziri pointed out that the full potential of the project would be achieved only when all the old water pipes were overhauled and more water reservoirs constructed.
The meeting, the Council gave approval for the sourcing of the loan, part of which would be used to relay pipes and construct three additional reservoirs in Jos metropolis and Bukuru area of the city.
Contributing, Commissioner for Information, Mr Yiljap Abraham, said the huge expenditure that would be made on the project would improve potable water supply in the metropolis.
The commissioner, however, warned that sharp practices whereby people by-passed the water board to bunker water and the activities of commercial water sellers, would be checked.
“We want to appeal very seriously to the people of plateau state to prepare themselves to pay for the water that they are going to use and also ensure that they pay their water rates.
“Meters will be provided so if you don’t have a meter, you don’t have water, if you have a meter, you have water and you pay for only what you take. If you have the meter, you are billed according to your consumption.
“If you want to bring “mai ruwa” to come and fetch water from your house, then the meter will show that you are consuming more water; so you will pay for more water.
“So, these are all steps that have been taken to make sure that the money is got back to pay to the bank.”
According to him, there will be no more payment in cash as all water bills will be paid directly to the bank to reduce friction and guard against sharp practices between the revenue collectors and the consumers.
N2.2 billion earlier released by the state government was used to rehabilitate three water treatment plants in Jos and Bukuru.