Government Commits to Providing Potable Water to Residents Across the Island

The Government is fully committed to providing reliable supplies of potable water to residents across the island, says Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.

Speaking to residents, business interests and other stakeholders at a ground-breaking ceremony for a pipe installation project in Retreat, St. Ann, on June 21, Mr. Holness said that residents will be seeing Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, with responsibility for water, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, commissioning pipes almost weekly in communities across the island.

He outlined details of the $29-million Brown’s Town to Retreat, St. Ann, pipeline installation project, and the refurbishment of the Minard Well, which has been in operation for more than 40 years, at a cost of $60.7 million.

The well, the Prime Minister noted, will be instrumental in channelling water to the Enfield, Lyndale, Retreat and Brown’s Town communities, providing a sustainable solution to their water needs.

“It is the intention of the Government to extend the National Water Commission’s supply to as far as we can go, and that will be happening almost every week,” Mr. Holness said, noting that he has given Senator Samuda the mandate of commissioning water systems or breaking ground for pipes to be laid.

The Prime Minister said that upon completion of the Retreat pipeline installation project, more than 1,500 people residing in several areas will have access to piped water.

The timeline set for the completion of the project is three months from the date of the ground-breaking ceremony.

For his part, Mr. Samuda said that the Prime Minister’s announcement underscores the Government’s proactive approach to infrastructure development and public welfare, adding that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and the Government’s investment in water infrastructure reflects its commitment to ensuring the well-being and prosperity of all Jamaican citizens.

By prioritising projects like the Brown’s Town-to-Retreat pipeline installation, the Government is taking concrete steps to address the challenges faced by communities that have long grappled with water scarcity,” he added.