EFFECTS OF WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS IN JOS METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the costs and benefits of water supply projects such as dams, reservoirs, overhead tanks, underground pipelines and water treatment plants in Jos metropolis to both government and individual water users. It utilized both primary and secondary data sources. The primary data were obtained through questionnaire administration, focus group discussion and field observation while the secondary data were sourced from Plateau State Water Board (PSWB), Central Bank of Nigeria and National Bureau of Statistics. The educational and psychological measurement table was adopted to determine the sample size of 378 from the population of 23,453 (water subscribers) which were administered with structured questionnaire. In this study frequency tables, maps, bar graphs and pie charts were used in presenting the results. The results show adequate water supply projects that are underutilized which were executed for social, political and economic reasons to provide potable water for the people. These water supply projects also bring adverse effects on the communities along the floodplains. The adverse effects on households are in form of loss of farmlands, loss of original settlements and prevalence of water related diseases. The benefits of these water supply projects to households on the other hand include reduced distance to water source, time savings, reduction in diseases rate and boost in government's revenue. The study recommends, among other things, that the government should provide alternative farmlands to displaced persons, and alternative occupations for displaced fishermen.