Bath Mountain to Bleauwerie Water Supply Project Launched
By: , March 29, 2015The Key Point:
Photo: Glenis Rose
Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Securities, Hon. Derrick Kellier (second right) along with (from second left) Permanent Secretary in Agriculture Ministry, Donovan Stanberry, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Luther Buchanan and Minister of Tourism and Entertainment and Member of Parliamewnt for Western Westmoreland Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeil examine the water source for the Bath Mountain to Bleauwerie Water Supply Project on March 26. The project is aimed at supplying over 205 families with reliable water source at a cost of approximately $26.8 million.The Facts
- It is expected that some 205 families/households across the western areas of Westmoreland are to benefit from the initiative which is being funded through the Sugar Transformation Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, at a cost of $26.8 million.
- The project is already underway and is scheduled to be completed in July 2015, impacting the lives of hundreds of ordinary Jamaicans, providing them with access to water they have not before enjoyed.
The Full Story
Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, on March 26, officially launched the Bath Mountain to Bleauwerie Water Supply Project in Westmoreland.
It is expected that some 205 families/households across the western areas of Westmoreland are to benefit from the initiative which is being funded through the Sugar Transformation Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, at a cost of $26.8 million.
The project is already underway and is scheduled to be completed in July 2015, impacting the lives of hundreds of ordinary Jamaicans, providing them with access to water they have not before enjoyed.
Addressing participants during the ceremony held at the Sunnyside Resort in Savanna-La-Mar, Mr. Kellier said the scope of work include the rehabilitation of a 50,000 gallon water storage tank, the installation of stand pipes, as well as a fire hydrant, among other infrastructure.
“This project and the provision of the precious commodity, signifies a new lease on life for these communities. It will be managed by a committee including representatives of the Rural Water Supply Limited, (implementers of the project) and the Sugar Transformation Unit and the community,” Mr. Kellier said.
The Minister noted that the project has been subjected to the greatest amount of scrutiny with periodic audits from the European Union, as well as a series of deliberations in the Public Accounts and Appropriation Committee (PAAC).
“For clarity, let me reiterate that projects selected for implementation are based on submission of expression of interest from all stakeholders in the sugar-dependent areas to include political representatives, schools, citizen’s associations/community groups, representatives from the health sector and so on,” Mr. Kellier said.
The Sugar Transformation Unit has to date, spent some $6.12 billion in improvement projects island wide, including the provision of housing units under the Barracks Relocation Programme – $2.4 billion; Social Infrastructure Projects – $1.4 billion to include rehabilitation/construction of schools, sports, clinics libraries and such facilities including 27 projects valued at $268 million in Westmoreland among many others.