PORT ANTONIO, Portland — Jamaica and the European Investment Bank last Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a water, sewerage and drainage project for the town of Port Antonio in Portland.

The project, which will be installed at the Port Antonio Marina, is expected to cost 39 million euros.

“Government is committed to protecting the health of all residents, preserving the natural environment and safe-guarding the economic base, especially in those towns heavily dependent on tourism, through the provision of adequate water supply services and the timely establishment of central waste water facilities,” said Harry Douglas, the water and housing ministry’s junior minister, who signed the MOU on behalf of the National Water Commission.

Douglas told guests at the signing ceremony that similar projects are in place in Ocho Rios, Negril and Montego Bay, the island’s three main tourist resort towns.

Douglas said that preparatory work is now taking place to select a supervisory consultant for the Port Antonio project. Authorities are also reviewing the final design.

He added that the plan “provides a technically sound, environmentally acceptable, and economically feasible programme of phased improvements through to the year 2020 to benefit the people of Portland”.

“This project intends to upgrade and improve infrastructure and practices related to wastewater, potable water, drainage and solid waste in Port Antonio,” Douglas said.

It will improve public and environmental health, and support economic development while minimising adverse environmental impacts during construction and implementation, Douglas added.

Authorities estimate that the project will take approximately four years to complete but will be prioritised to address the town’s most pressing needs.

Port Antonio’s Advisory and Monitoring Committee will facilitate collaboration and dialogue between the community and the National Water Commission for the duration of the work on the project.

The MOU was also signed by the Portland Environmental Protection Association, Portland Hotel Association, Fishermen’s Co-operative, and citizens.