Govt. to Spend $652 Million on Water Supply Projects

Government will be spending some $652 million during the 2008/09 financial year to develop water supply projects in several parishes.
Minister of State for Water and Housing, Everald Warmington made this disclosure while addressing a contract signing and ground breaking ceremony for the Fruitful Vale water supply system on April 30, at the Fruitful Vale All-age School in Portland.
Mr. Warmington said the projects would be developed by the Rural Water Supply Limited, with four earmarked for St. Catherine, three each for St. Mary and Clarendon, and one each for Trelawny, Hanover, and St. Ann.
In addition, he said the company would pursue development of the Rural Water Supply Master Plan at a cost of $50 million to carry out the mandate of the water sector.
The State Minister explained that the plan would enable the development of a comprehensive strategy for the supply of safe drinking water within each parish, taking into consideration projected demand, status of existing systems, water resource availability, and the socio-economic profiles of communities.
He pointed out that $110 million would be required to upgrade and improve small parish council systems islandwide, adding that projects totaling $35 million would be selected for implementation this year.
Mr. Warmington noted that some 14 contracts totalling approximately $89 million, for water supply development, have been signed since this administration assumed office in September of last year.