Water Shop to be Built in Marlie Hill, South Manchester
By: , August 29, 2017The Key Point:
Photo: Barbara Ellington
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), takes a look at 2016-17 property tax receipts being shown to him by member of the Marlie Hill community in South Manchester, Sonia Beckford, during a tour of the area on August 25. Miss Beckford has donated a piece of land so that a water shop can be constructed to supply the community.The Facts
- Resident, Sonia Beckford, has donated a piece of land to the Government, where the water shop will be built to ease the shortage of the commodity.
- Miss Beckford said she decided to give the plot of land, because water is precious. “I decided to give this plot of land because we need water; you cannot live without water, as water is life. I feel good because other people will benefit,” she said.
The Full Story
A water shop is to be constructed in Marlie Hill, South Manchester, by the end of the year.
This was announced by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, during a tour of the area on August 25.
Technocrats from the National Water Commission and the Ministry will return to Marlie Hill on August 29 to begin the process.
Resident, Sonia Beckford, has donated a piece of land to the Government, where the water shop will be built to ease the shortage of the commodity.
Miss Beckford said she decided to give the plot of land, because water is precious.
“I decided to give this plot of land because we need water; you cannot live without water, as water is life. I feel good because other people will benefit,” she said.
In accepting the land, the Minister said it is timely, as members of the community need the water, adding that it will be provided free of cost.
“This is a community with more than 1,000 residents, and one of the major challenges they face is a lack of running water. It is also a farming community, and based on the discussions that I have with the farmers, they are upbeat about this move,” Mr. McKenzie told the residents.
The Minister said the water shop will substitute for the trucks that are taking the commodity into the community.
“We will be doing two such water shops in this area. The other one will be in Banana Ground in the Bellefield area, where there is also a serious water shortage,” Mr. McKenzie noted.
He said the initiative is part of the Government’s campaign pledge to ensure that a better water supply is made available to communities.
The Minister said over the long term, the Government will ensure that all communities receive proper water supply.
“This is what your property tax is doing; if you pay property tax, we, in turn, must provide the basic services that the money is intended for,” Mr. McKenzie said.
Meanwhile, Councillor Iceval Brown, who represents the Cross Keys Division, expressed gratitude on behalf of the citizens.