Nearly 8,500 Customers to Benefit from Service Reconnections Under NWC Amnesty This Month

Approximately 8,438 National Water Commission (NWC) customers, whose service was disconnected, will have their supply restored this month under the entity’s amnesty.

This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda.

He informed that having, so far, effected reconnections for more than 1,300 customers who didn’t have water prior to the amnesty’s announcement by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, “we have a further 8,438 customers who are going through the process [under the amnesty] who will be reconnected this month”.

“We have invested with this amnesty, so far, with the customers that are reconnected, by giving them back a write-off of $156 million, and with the other 8,000-plus customers that are awaiting, we are giving back to our citizens a further $500 million plus. So, your Government is investing to show that it cares; it’s investing to ensure that when we turn on the pipes there is water in them,” Minister Samuda assured.

He was speaking during the ceremony to break ground for the $342-million White Hall to New Market Water Supply Project, at Happy Grove Primary and Infant School in St. Elizabeth on February 7.

The three-month amnesty, which commenced in January, is for customers whose water supply was disconnected consequent on being indebted to the NWC for upwards of two years; those who are pensioners; and persons assessed as being in need, based on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) beneficiary identification standards.

The White Hall to New Market Water Supply Project is being spearheaded and funded by the NWC.

It entails infrastructure work at the well in the area, installation of two major relief stations and three supply tanks, and connecting pipes laid under the NWC’s Major Infrastructure Development Project (MIDP) between 2018 and 2020, with the programmed installation of an additional 1½ kilometres of six-inch pipes.

The project will benefit some 8,000 residents of White Hall, New Market and neighbouring communities.