MP Welcomes Water Supply Project

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green has welcomed the breaking of ground for the installation of 4.6 kilometres of pipeline on the Hounslow to Newell water supply project in St. Elizabeth.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony on Thursday, July 14, in Hounslow, Mr. Green, who is also Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth, said the project is evidence that the government remains committed to providing potable water to communities.

“We said as a government we would make water a priority. Today is the start of that action in relation to water,” he said.

He pointed out that the project has come at an opportune time to address the effects of the dry season on the Parish.

“As you would know we are now in the heights of the drought and I can tell you the farmers are having it very difficult in getting water to their fields,” the Member of Parliament said.

He further stated that St. Elizabeth and by extension Jamaica does not have a shortage of water, but the parish needs a strict water management programme.

“We do not have a water supply problem; we definitely have a water management and distribution problem. We do have enough water all over Jamaica, but (the problem) is getting it to the areas that need it most,” Mr. Green added.

The project, which will be carried out by Surrey Paving and Aggregates Limited, forms phase 2A of the Hounslow to Newell project and will be done at a cost of $60.5 million.

Some 1,000 residents of Newell, Bigwoods, Bethany and environs will benefit from the project, which is scheduled to be completed within eight months.