Minister Pickersgill to Tour Port Antonio Water and Sewerage Project

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, will examine the progress of works under the $1.83 billion Port Antonio Water, Sewerage and Drainage Project, when he tours the Portland capital on Wednesday, January 14.

He will be accompanied by Minister of State, Hon. Ian Hayles, and will be joined by the Portland Members of Parliament, and representatives from the Local Authority, the National Works Agency (NWA), and Non-Government Organisations.

The tour comes against public complaints about the state of the main areas of the town, including disruption in traffic, due to the pipe-laying works being undertaken.

Minister Pickersgill assured that “the complaints have not gone unheard and since it is getting louder, it is time I get a first-hand look at the situation on the ground and its impact on the town.”

The project, being undertaken by National Water Commission (NWC), is aimed at addressing water supply deficiencies in Port Antonio and adjoining communities, while providing supporting wastewater and drainage systems and services.

The works, which began on September 9, 2013, have resulted in the closure of Gideon Avenue, and the diversion of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to Harbour Street, which is operating as a dual carriage.

The 18-month Port Antonio Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Project is being financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the NWC, through the K-Factor Programme, and is scheduled to be completed in March 2015.

It involves major rehabilitation and construction of water distribution, sewerage, and drainage systems serving the Portland capital and its environs.

The scope of works include the laying of 10 kilometres of pipelines and the replacement and upgrading 1,000 service connections under the water aspect; installation of six kilometres of pipelines, 500 connections, and manholes under the sewerage segment; and placement of two kilometers of box and concrete pipe culverts, construction of a retaining wall, as well as drainage channel de-silting, and dredging works, under the drainage component.

The project is providing employment opportunities for hundreds of persons, and will benefit the business sector, farmers, and householders.