The Cross River Water Board Limited says it will henceforth disconnect water supply to all consumers, including government establishments that fail to pay their bills regularly.
The Administrator of the board, Dr Stephen Odey, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Calabar yesterday.
Odey said that this was part of the measures being taken by the board to restore regular supply of potable water in the state, especially in Calabar metropolis.
“We will disconnect you as soon as you fail to pay your bills no matter who is involved.
“Be it a government establishment or an individual, if the consumer defaults in payment of bills, we will disconnect supply, “ he said.
He added that the board would soon embark on public awareness campaign to sensitise and re-orientate the people on the need to pay their water bills promptly.
Odey said that Calabar residents were ready to pay bills as long as they had water supply and assured them of uninterrupted water supply in the city in no distant time.
He said that he had held meetings with the top management and other staff of the board on how to render efficient services.
“The situation I met on ground was very embarrassing. There were broken pipes all over the city and water was wasting while there was none for people to drink.
“So, I have decided that there must be a total overhaul of the board. I can assure residents of Calabar metropolis that we will restore uninterrupted water supply to all parts of the city in a very short time.
“Already we have started getting reports from consumers that water had started running in several areas of the city. All hands are on deck now to ensure that water situation in the city returns to normal,” he said.
The administrator added that the board had set up a task force to move round the city and identify all broken pipes and other problems for prompt action.
On power supply, he said the board had held useful discussions with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC,) on ways to resolve the issue.