WESTERN BUREAU: Prime Minister P J Patterson on Friday strongly condemned the vandalism of sewage treatment plants across the island, citing that there could be no “safe, sane” reason for such an act.

The PM’s condemnation follows the recent theft of polyethylene lining from the Montego Bay sewage ponds, which cost the National Water Commission (NWC) about half-a-million dollars to repair.

It was on Thursday, January 24 that vandals reportedly stole two large sections of the polyethylene liner used to protect the embankment of the Montego Bay facility.

As a result, the NWC had to halt its use of one of its three ponds to facilitate the emptying and subsequent repair of those affected.

“Imagine stealing the polyethylene lining from the bottom of sewage ponds. There can be no safe, sane reason for this ghastly act and don’t tell me that it is because of poverty. And I certainly don’t believe that it is political sabotage. I think it is just some people that are not content with anything that they have and they are tinted with the green eye of jealousy,” Patterson said.

The PM was speaking at the official opening of the Ocho Rios Sewage Treatment Plant in St Ann on Friday evening.

“I say to any miscreant to weigh the damage you do if you destroy or steal any item from this compound or any part of the system. I want to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, vandalism to any property including treatment plants anywhere,” he said.

He added that residents should exercise due respect for the new facility even as they remained cognisant of the benefits to be had from its existence and that it is they (the ratepayers) who would have to bear the cost whenever the property was vandalised.

“I am charging you the citizens of Ocho Rios who are the beneficiaries of this modern system to have respect and due regard for these facilities. Be cognisant of the direct benefits that you will reap from its establishment here and its efficient operation. I want a responsible society. I want a caring society. Let us lift Jamaica upward not push Jamaica downwards. And when you steal NWC property, somebody has to pay for it. That replacement cost will eventually be borne by the rate payer to the NWC. So for God’s sake protect this facility. I urge you, do not fall prey to the syndrome of destroying and spoiling this property, which has been done by some misguided people elsewhere to make some nebulous point or for greed or your own selfish reasons,” he urged.

“These facilities are meant to protect your health and your well-being, to give you the right to operate in clean and sanitary surroundings. I ask you to be responsible, show respect for the communal facilities, which have been placed here, not for the minister’s benefit, not for my benefit but for the people of Ocho Rios. Your rewards will be directly proportional to the care- consideration and regard you give to the environment and your fellow man as well as the loyalty you exhibit towards the town of your residence.”

The new facility is expected to serve a population of up to 29,500 up to the year 2015.

The project was undertaken by the Spanish joint venture company, Cubrietas y Mzov SA/Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA and funded by the government of Jamaica and the European Commission Development Fund, Lome IV Convention.

Witteveen and Bos Consulting Engineers of the Netherlands undertook the site supervision.

Work on the project, which should have lasted two years, started from as far back as 1994 but was beset by problems including land acquisition and the increased volume of work.

The result has been that the project, which currently boasts 20 km of sewers, seven pump stations, a 3.5 USMG sewage treatment works and 0.7 km of sea outfall for treatment effluent disposal, was only finally completed in December of 1999.