Phase One of Mason Hall Water Supply Project Completed

An expected 1,200 residents are to benefit from access to clean, reliable water in Mason Hall, St. Mary, following Friday’s (March 28) commissioning of phase one of the Mason Hall Water Supply Project.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony at the Mason Hall Primary and Infant School, Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, hailed the project as a “flagship initiative” by the Government of Jamaica, the Caribbean Development Bank and Rural Water Supply Limited.

“This not only represents a milestone for the people of Mason Hall but it is also a symbol of the kind of development we believe in,” Dr. Holness said, as he pointed out that development must be inclusive and equitable.

He noted that from the project, residents are to see a transformation in their households and in their daily lives.

“Those who would have had to carry water on their heads will no longer need to do so. Those who would have to buy water from the truck, you would no longer have to do so. You can now have water in your kitchen and water in your shower,” the Prime Minister said.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to making basic services accessible for all Jamaicans, stating that access to potable water is a “matter of dignity” and an “economic necessity”.

For his part, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Water, Hon. Matthew Samuda, told residents that through phase one of the project, “$70 million has been invested thus far in your comfort, in your water supply, in your children’s future, in the future of Mason Hall”.

He explained that given the size and magnitude of the project, it will be executed in three phases.

Phase two, he said, will commence at the beginning of the new financial year with a further $100 million extension of existing pipelines and work on the lift stations.

This will benefit more than 1,500 additional residents.

The Minister noted that the system is a part of a wider commitment that the Government has to rural water systems.

“Over an 18-month period, your Government, through Rural Water Supply Limited would have invested over $1.3 billion into small rural water systems into the extension of the utility footprint for persons who have never had water before,” Mr. Samuda said.

“This is an extension of our total commitment, and what this says to me is you should give us the benefit of the doubt. So, in other places that have waited as long as Mason Hall, we’re asking the citizens of Mason Hall to tell them we’re coming because we’ve heard their cries and we will make the investment,” he added.

He further assured that “the work is advanced, these projects take a lot of time, but we are committed to ensuring that you get high-quality infrastructure in rural Jamaica that delivers water to your pipe. We are working assiduously to achieve this”.

Greetings were also brought by Member of Parliament for St. Mary Western, Robert Montague, and Chairman of Rural Water Supply Limited, Omar Sweeney.