Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda (left), looks at something of interest being pointed out by Vice President, National Water Commission (NWC), Herman Fagan (centre) and Water Supply Manager, Chadron Stern, during a tour of water projects in East Rural St. Andrew on Friday (May 24). (Photo: Rudranath Fraser/JIS)
Minister with responsibility for water, Matthew Samuda, says the government should begin laying pipes under the just-announced $25 billion water project in western Jamaica before the end of the year.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the project in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. He says it is intended to provide relief to sections of western Jamaica which are facing chronic water supply challenges.
The project will see the installation of a pipeline from the Martha Brae Water Treatment Plant in Trelawny to Terminal Reservoir in St James.
A pipeline will also be installed from the Great River Water Treatment Plant in St James to Negril in Westmoreland.
Meanwhile, Minister Samuda says the loss of water in sections of western Jamaica, to theft and leaks, is at crisis proportions.
He made the statement while speaking on Nationwide This Morning about the thrust of the government to upgrade, install and replace major pipelines across the country.
According to Minister Samuda, over 60 per cent of the water from the NWC in Westmoreland and Hanover cannot be accounted for due to theft and leakages.
Minister Samuda says invariably, when there is water theft, it results in significant leakage at the point of connection.
Minister Samuda says the pipeline in Martha Brae was installed in the 1980s and was meant to last 40 years. He says several pipelines across the country are similarly aged and need to be replaced.
Minister Samuda says the government intends to have a partnership in place before the end of the year to carry out significant works upgrading and replacing old pipes.
Matthew Samuda, minister with responsibility for water.
