Jamaica Cities Will Enjoy Improved Water Supply

Residents of Martha Hall, Jamaice and surrounding communities in St. Mary will soon benefit from improved water supply.

The Jamaica Information Service reported that the improvement was carried out by the National Water Commission (NWC) at a cost of $5 million, and included the laying of new pipelines, the installation of a new pump and the electrification of the pump house serving the system.

The system was officially commissioned by Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Transport, Water and Works. About 150 households will benefit directly from this new system.

Ferguson told the Jamaica Information Service that the project was just one of several initiatives being implemented across the country. The project also falls in place with the Government's recognition that access to water is a critically important factor in the economic and social development of the nation.

Ferguson did report that minor problems have surfaced in the project’s operation, and would be corrected as soon as possible.

The government's water supply policy carried the objective of cutting in half the amount of people that do not have access to potable water by the year 2010. Jamaica has achieved 74% of that objective, and the administration is currently examining the possibility of partnering with communities and private sector interests to develop the additional supply systems needed to ensure that potable water is accessible to all Jamaicans.

Ferguson told the Jamaica Information Service that the project was just one of several initiatives being implemented across the country. The project also falls in place with the Government's recognition that access to water is a critically important factor in the economic and social development of the nation.

Ferguson did report that minor problems have surfaced in the project’s operation, and would be corrected as soon as possible.

Source: Jamaica Information Service