JEDC Cut-Off Power Supply To Water Treatment Plant Over N1.5 Billion Debt, As Water Scarcity Hits Jos

Yakubu Busari

Since the administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong came on board the problem associated with scarcity of water supply through the major three treatment plan had become worse.

The residents were abandoned to their fate to scrabble in search of drinking water through any available sources as the water sellers make more money selling a jerrican (Gallon) to the tune of 50 Naira which sources are not clearly identified.

However, residents of Jos, the Plateau state capital are facing acute water scarcity due to the inability of the state government to distribute water from the treatment plants.

The unpalatable danger is that there has been no water supply by the government since February this year in the entire state capital of Jos comprising of Jos-Bukuru metropolis where women and children are forced to trek 30 to 35 km looking for water.

The situation in Jos the state capital has compelled residents to scramble daily to source water from unhygienic sources to meet their water needs as the regime is gradually counting days leaving behind huge debts to the incoming government of Barr.Caleb Mutfwang to battle with.

The challenge now is that the inability of the government to distribute water from its three treatment plans has to do with the disconnection of the electricity supply to the plants by the Jos electricity distribution company (JEDC). Lumumba

The Head of Public Affairs of JEDC Dr. Friday Elijah confirmed that the company disconnected the power supply to the treatment plants on the 10th of March due to the inability of the government to offset over N1.5 billion electricity bill owed JEDC.

It was revealed that the electricity bill has piled up for several years

However, the Ag. General Manager of Plateau state water board Stella Buge did not deny any debt to JEDC  but said only the public relations officer of the board can confirm details of the electricity debts.

Meanwhile, the public relations officer Nangor Ndam was said to be away from the office and his lines were switch-off.

Residents of Jos City rely on water from well and private boreholes to meet their daily water need in spite of the unhygienic state of the well and boreholes.

The Lalong government would complete 8 years of tenure on May 29 but there are so many projects that yearning for attention and can’t be finished, Joseph Gwomwalk House, Plateau Hotel ,JosHotel ,indoor theatre , Thirty Hotel.