Trelawny to benefit from five major water projects – Samuda
RESIDENTS OF Trelawny are set to benefit from at least five major water projects through investments by the Rural Water Supply Limited and the National Water Commission (NWC).
This was revealed by Matthew Samuda, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, during last week’s opening of the NWC’s Trelawny commercial office in Falmouth.
Samuda said that the projects, which carry a combined price tag of $423 million, will seek to improve the potable water supply in the western rural parish.
He further pointed out that the revenue being brought in by NWC’s new Falmouth office will play a major role in financing these rehabilitation projects.
“I am happy because we are now making 100 per cent of our revenue target. In real terms, this means we can finish the Bellefield Well rehabilitation that is already under way at a cost of $30 million for the people of Trelawny.
“It means we are going to finish the Georgia Tank rehabilitation at a cost of $7 million. That is already under way for the people of Trelawny,” Samuda declared.
In addition to that, Samuda noted that $290 million has been earmarked for a project at the Dornoch Water Treatment Plant to Baron Hill Transmission Main Replacement.
“$290 million is being made available and it is being supported by the increased revenue that the water commission is realising because of sound management.”
The two additional projects slated for Trelawny are the $1-million NWC in-house Cacardy/Rio Bueno pipeline interconnection project; and Phase 2 of the Bunkers to Wakefield pipeline replacement, which will cost approximately $95 million. It will reportedly include the replacement of approximately 2.3 km of pipeline from Dainy Crossroad to Unity.
While delivering his keynote address, Samuda acknowledged that residents of Trelawny are frustrated after being subjected to poor water supply for many decades.
“I appreciate the frustration of citizens who live in this area waiting on rules of procurement and I feel that frustration because I get a number of calls that can only be comparable to a call centre.”
At the same time, Samuda shared that the government has placed major emphasis on the improvement of water supply across the island. With at least 300,000 Jamaicans already said to benefit since 2021, Samuda has given commitment to expanding the water projects to other rural areas struggling to access potable water.
“It is why this government has allocated $1.6 billion to the Rural Water Supply Limited doubling the largest-ever allocation to facilitate investments into rural water needs for rural communities.”
Samuda added, “It is the fact that you have several hundred million dollars of transactions at varying stages in their development process. We expect to unleash investments in the water section that have only been spoken about for 30 years.
“Whether it is in potable water, in sanitation or irrigation, I guarantee you that you will have those US$400 million of works under way in the next 18 months, in the water sector across those three categories.”
Residents of Braco in Trelawny were given access to potable water from the NWC for the first time in Jamaica’s history last week Thursday.
This was done through a $90-million NWC in-house project and is expected to benefit 400 residents in the farming community. The community’s water will be supplied by the nearby Martha Brae Water Treatment Plant as NWC has connected the distribution pipeline to the 20-inch transmission main running from Martha Brae to St Ann.
Jermaine Wright, a resident of Braco, told The Gleaner that the community is excited to finally have access to pipe water after struggling for many years.
“I feel like it’s a great move to bring water into the community of Braco. It’s been long coming. Since the community has been here, we haven’t had proper drinking water, so this is very good for the community ,” Wright said.