Gov’t. to Guarantee Loan for NWC to Improve Water Supply

Cabinet has approved a Resolution to go before the House of Representatives, seeking a Government guarantee of multi-currency loans totaling US$210.1 million to the National Water Commission (NWC), for the financing of the Jamaica Water Supply Improvement Project (JWSIP).
The loans fall under the provisions of the Approved Organisations and Authorities Loans (Government guarantee) Act, and are from a combination of lenders, including Bank of Nova Scotia, and Vinci Construction Grands projects.
Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the announcement at a post-Cabinet press briefing, at Jamaica House today (October 7).
“The NWC is in the process of implementing the JWSIP to address the water supply deficit, which has been recognised, particularly in the Kingston Metropolitan Area, comprising Kingston and St. Andrew, Portmore and Greater Spanish Town,” he said. The project also includes several rural water supply projects across the island, aimed at increasing the percentage of rural households with access to in-house potable water.
On another matter, Mr. Vaz said Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, had informed Cabinet of the pending visit of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Jakaya Kikwete, from November 24 to 26. “The Government of Tanzania has introduced some reforms, which resulted in economic growth of five to seven per cent prior to the global recession. Jamaica is also considering policy reforms with similar objectives,” Mr. Vaz said.