Old Water Pipes Being Replaced in Fairfield Irwin, St. James

The National Water Commission (NWC) has commenced work to replace old pipes in the community of Fairfield Irwin in St. James.

This is expected to be completed in three months and will be followed by rehabilitation work on the Fairfield Irwin roadway, by the National Works Agency (NWA).

After visiting the site on August 19, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, told journalists that a complete assessment of the project has been done with teams from the NWC and the NWA.

“What you are seeing on this site is the commencement of the laying of over two kilometres of ductile iron pipes, which are replacing old, collapsed pipes made of asbestos. These pipes were obviously meant to be changed many decades ago; however, now we have the financial capacity and space to do this project,” Senator Samuda said.

“So, the works will cost some $47 million, and pipes have been pulled from the NWC’s stores, which would take the value of the project to about $70 million when completed,” he added.

The laying of new pipes will ensure that there is an improved distribution of water from the Fairfield well to the tank at West Avenue in the community, then to the homes of citizens. Residents of Cashew Grove Estate and Tucker will also benefit from the project.

Mr. Samuda noted that the project is set to benefit some 9,000 residents in St. James West Central.

Meanwhile, the Minister informed that the NWA has completed the procurement of “the road works where the pipes are being laid and once this is completed within three months, that work will start immediately.”

For her part, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs and Member of Parliament for St. James West Central, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, urged constituents to “continue to be patient”.

“I know it has been a frustrating time – the condition of the road, the disruption in the supply of water – but this is work to improve the conditions,” she said.

“I am pleased that we have gotten to this point, and I am asking the NWC to monitor the project, to ensure that enough signage is in place, to ensure that there is timely communication with constituents, because once you excavate the road it’s going to result in some problems to traverse on it,” the Minister noted.

Accompanying the Ministers on the visit were Councillor for the Mt. Salem Division, Kerry Thomas; Acting Vice President of Operations at the NWC, Dr. Phillipa Campbell-Francis and Acting Regional Manager at the NWC, St. James and Trelawny, Horace Binns.