ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Amidst cries from the National Water Commission (NWC) that persistent illegal connections to its water supply network is wreaking havoc on its operations in St Elizabeth, the People’s National Party (PNP) today insisted that the entity urgently address what it termed “water disruption problems” in the parish.

The NWC, last evening, reported that many of their customers near the end of pipeline networks in St Elizabeth are unable to get water because other people are stealing the water before it gets to them.

The company said that so rampant is water theft in the region that it has to dedicate two days out of each week to conduct operations, with police support, to remove illegal connections from the network.

But not to be deterred, PNP candidate for St Elizabeth North East, Basil Waite today insisted that the NWC immediately intensify its efforts to provide a reliable water supply to communities in his constituency such as Leeds, Northampton and Southampton.

Waite, in a release, charged that the pump that serves the system that would bring water to those communities has broken down for over a month. The situation has been compounded by the drought, which has been affecting the area and some residents have resorted to protest action.

“While no one wants to be inconvenienced by blocked roads, the frustration of the residents reached a boiling point which resulted in protest actions earlier today,” Waite said in reference to protests by St Elizabeth residents.

He added it is clear from today’s activities that the residents are prepared to continue with their protest to highlight the lack of water supply to residential communities and for commercial and farming activities.