NWC Restores 95 Per Cent of Water Supply After Hurricane Melissa

The National Water Commission (NWC) has restored 95.2 per cent of water supply to customers, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, stated that while Jamaica is in the final stages of water restoration, the Government remains committed to ensuring that every citizen affected by the Category Five system receives service.

“So we are on the last mile of water restoration,” he assured, while addressing the official commissioning of a 500-kilowatt emergency mobile power generation unit in Darliston, Westmoreland, on Sunday (January 25).

Mr. Samuda noted that although Jamaica has broken global records in the restoration of power, telecommunications and water, the work will not be complete until the last customer is reconnected.

He stated that the Government and utility entities are working around the clock, including weekends, as the restoration of essential services is a fundamental right of every citizen.

“That’s why we are going to stick to it every day and every night until every single Jamaican who was adversely affected by Hurricane Melissa is, indeed, restored with NWC and Jamaica Public Service (JPS) [infrastructure] and, indeed, ensuring that we put this behind us,” Mr. Samuda outlined.

In the meantime, the Minister urged his partners and colleagues in the utility sector to remain focused on assisting those still without service.

He noted that pushing to complete the remaining repairs and reconnections as quickly and safely as possible demonstrates an understanding of the people’s plight.

Mr. Samuda expressed gratitude for the work already undertaken by utility entities, and emphasised that continued collaboration is critical to achieving stronger recovery and sustaining long‑term national development.

“Let us redouble our efforts… refocus our vision to ensure that after restoration, funds are spent across several sections of this country, whether from Westmoreland to eastern St. Thomas to, indeed, be achievers of Vision 2030 Jamaica,” he stated.