Delancy not ready to release emergency funding for water crisis
WESTERN BUREAU:
WHILE AN emergency outlet exists in terms of a water crisis in Westmoreland, Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Danree Delancy, says he will not support the use of its Special Grant and Repairs (SGR) Fund at this time.
Instead, he has decided to first exhaust the relevant channels which include bringing the plight of the citizens to the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation that has portfolio responsibilities for water, and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.
“If there has never been an emergency, here is one,” said Ian Myles, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor for the Little London division referencing the widespread water crisis gripping Westmoreland.
He suggested that the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC) should not conclude its first general monthly meeting following the February 26 local government election without tabling a resolution to use emergency funds to alleviate the parish’s water crisis.
Westmoreland, like other western parishes, are experiencing a significant decline in their water supply via the National Water Commission’s (NWC) sources, which has resulted in the regulation of water to residents and across the parish.
“Council needs to take that decision, that this is an emergency. We do it in the form of a resolution and move it in the right direction,” he suggested, noting that there will not be a major meeting of the WMC until next month to pass a resolution on the matter.
“We need not leave here today without ensuring that a resolution is cast about the emergency caused by the absence of the precious commodity in Westmoreland,” Myles argued.
While acknowledging that the water crisis is affecting people’s lives, Delancy, who is also the chairman of the WMC, did not entertain the suggestion of a resolution to use the SGR at this time.
“In terms of a resolution to get funds from the SGR to truck water, it is something that I won’t be supporting at this time. I am in full support of us writing to the relevant ministries and try to get a response in short order,” Delancy said.
“If that fails then we will have to go to the SGR,”the mayor said, pointing out that council must first utilise the established channels before resorting to emergency funding.
He further said that the WMC will also be dispatching letters to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, explaining the gravity of the water crisis.
“And hopefully, we can get a quick and positive response so we can alleviate the pain and suffering as it relates to the lack of water that our citizens are now facing,” Delancy added.
Patrick Forrester, the People’s National Party councillor for the Petersfield division, said the water crisis facing his constituents is mind-boggling given the proximity to which the community is located to the NWC’s Roaring River water supply.
“The water crisis is of such that not even the citizens of the Petersfield division where the main source – the Roaring River that is serving most of the parish – are without water,” Forrester said.
He told his fellow councillors that the NWC is now regulating the distribution of water on the basis that their water supply sources are operating below normal capacity levels, but noted that this action is affecting people’s lives.
“This action is creating pain and suffering for residents who are being left without potable water for approximately two months,” said Forrester.