C’River Waterboard Goes Tough On Debtors, Gives 3 Days Ultimatum
Chiemeka ADINDU, Calabar
Managing Director of the Cross River State Water Board limited Chief Victor Effiom Ekpo has given a notice to customers and debtors of the board to pay their debts or have their names handed over to the office of Asset recovery and Prosecution in the state for more stringent debt recovery measures.
Making this known to journalists in Calabar, the MD said “we are calling on all our customers that are owing us money to clear up their debt between now and Monday or we will hand over the names of those whose outstanding bill have exceeded ₦100,000 to the Special Adviser to the Governor on asset recovery to take up the matter”
He however appealed to customers to pay their outstanding and current bills, assuring that the board will ensure 24hours steady supply of water to their homes. “We are giving estimated bill of ₦3000 for each home to enjoy 24hour supply of water. No payment, no water supply is ongoing and every customer that fails to pay their bills will face instant disconnection”, he averred.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Cross River State Water Board Affairs, Hon. Agnes Atsu decried the high level of indebtedness by prominent Cross Riverians. She added that “upon investigation, we discovered that the huge bills were not held down by the populace but by some very senior government officials and high-profiled personalities and it is difficult for our revenue staff to approach these persons. It became pertinent to interface with the office of Asset recovery and prosecution to ensure that these monies are recovered and plough back into the facility.”
She further encouraged residents to stand up to their responsibility by paying their water bills as and when due to enable the board fulfil her mandate of providing portable and quality water to every home in Cross River State.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Recovery and Prosecution, Chief Ewa Obi has pledged his commitment to partner the Cross River State Water Board limited to recover all debt owed the board. He also urged customers of the board to comply with the directive from his office or face possible prosecution. “We will effect service of demand notice to debtors of the board, accompanied by the one already issued by the board. Once we issue our notice and the customer does not comply, at the expiration of the ultimatum given, the customer will be tried in a court of competent jurisdiction and penalties will be issued accordingly”, he disclosed.
