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Communities Affected By Drought to Receive Attention

February 24, 2004

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The Ministry of Water and Housing is putting in place a water distribution system to address the needs of communities affected by drought conditions.
Making the announcement at yesterday’s (February 23) post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman said that the Ministry, in its report to Cabinet, said it was undertaking a comprehensive assessment of all its systems and was seeking to address those areas affected by severe water shortage.
“What the Ministry is ensuring is that its rapid response fleet is brought up to a level in terms of efficiency and state of readiness to meet demand,” Mr. Whiteman said.
The parishes of Westmoreland, Clarendon and St. James have been assessed by the Meteorological Office to be experiencing drought conditions, but the absence of rainfall is also affecting communities in the breadbasket parishes of St. Elizabeth and Manchester.
“The situation is very challenging…. the rainfall is being monitored very closely and the Ministry will be seeking to address those areas, which are in most critical need,” Senator Whiteman explained.
He said steps were being taken to ensure that there was consistency of supplies in times of drought and a water system was being constructed in St. Catherine to facilitate supplies in the Corporate Area.

Last Updated: February 24, 2004

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