NWC Takes Amnesty to Chester in St. Ann

The National Water Commission (NWC) took its 90-day national amnesty programme to the community of Chester in St. Ann from January 20-24, offering residents the opportunity to resolve outstanding bills.

NWC North East Regional Manager, Richard Williams, told JIS News that the programme provides significant financial relief, including 100 per cent write-offs for pensioners and Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) beneficiaries, for bills up to December 2022.

Additionally, residential customers disconnected before July 2024 can receive a 50 per cent discount, while those with balances over two years may qualify for 35-50 per cent discounts, depending on their specific circumstances, Mr. Williams said.

“We’re also offering persons, who would not have been on the system, an opportunity to be regularised,” he added.

Mr. Williams said NWC teams are actively engaging residents, going house to house to explain the amnesty programme and assist them with regularisation.

Additionally, he pointed out that the entity has been repairing leaks and replacing old pipelines in the community, in a bid to reduce water loss and improve supply reliability.

Chester’s week-long outreach is part of the broader national amnesty, which was announced by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, as a means of assisting vulnerable groups.

The programme aims to address challenges experienced by retirees, PATH beneficiaries and others who may have amassed significant water bills due to financial hardships or inherited arrears.

Resident, Patricia Murphy, informed that she is on the verge of obtaining a legal connection to the NWC system. She currently purchases water from trucks, which is oftentimes costly.

Having applied for amnesty, Ms. Murphy said she hopes to have her debts fully written off and receive a legal connection to the NWC system, complete with her own meter.

Another resident, Caroline Johnson-Evans, cited challenges posed by broken and outdated pipelines, which have left some homes without access to water.

She also supports the development to extend and repair the water infrastructure in Chester, thus ensuring all residents can benefit from a consistent supply.

The outreach will continue in other parishes in the NWC’s North East Region over the coming months, including Portland and St. Mary.