$325 Million Set Aside To Provide Water To Rural Areas

The Local Government and Rural Development Ministry will be spending $325 million to provide water to rural communities across the country this year.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the disclosure during his 2021/22 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on May 18.

He informed that $215 million will be spent to complete projects that will benefit some 20,000 people in communities in St. Catherine, St. Ann, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, Portland and St. James.

He said that the Ministry will also set aside $110 million to construct water shops. The beneficiary parishes fall under the Rural Development Programme.

Meanwhile, Minister McKenzie informed that work has been completed on the Platfield water supply system in St. Mary, which includes house connections to Mount Vernon and Clarke Castle, as well as a loading bay to serve Border and surrounding communities.

He said that more than 4,000 persons are benefiting from these projects, which were implemented by the Rural Water Supply Limited.

“Rural Water Supply Limited also installed water supply systems in over 22 communities in eight parishes and now, over 33,000 people are enjoying vastly improved water supply as a result of the work of the rural water agency,” he noted.

Minister McKenzie said the agency also installed catchment and black tanks in several communities.

In addition, rainwater harvesting, pumping facilities and wash stations have been installed at more than 25 public schools across the island.