Minister of Local Government and Community

Development Desmond McKenzie has underscored the commitment to drought

mitigation across the island through the establishment of water shops, among

other initiatives.

“The ministry is proud to be part of this

critical effort to respond to the national need for water with innovative

policies and programmes,” he said in a speech read by Director of the Parochial

Revenue Fund in the Ministry, Rupert Pryce, at a press conference held recently

at Jamaica House.

“As part of the comprehensive approach by

this Administration to this reality (of drought), the ministry, in 2016,

initiated a programme of establishing water shops consisting of a collection of

high-capacity water tanks supported by administrative offices, to serve the

needs of drought-affected communities across the island,” he noted.

The first water shop opened in Pennants,

Clarendon, in 2017 and two others were established in Marlie Hill and

Bellefield, Manchester thereafter.

Two facilities have been built in Top Hill

and Retirement District in St. Elizabeth, with another two under construction,

and in Portland, one water shop is being established in Commodore with another

to be constructed in the parish this year.

Minister McKenzie said that together, these

projects represent an investment of more than $100 million and the provision of

more than 150,000 gallons of potable water every day to scores of communities.

He said that the ministry is working to

provide each municipal corporation with two water trucks to aid in their

efforts to supply water in their jurisdictions.

In addition, $10 million will be allocated

to the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation to assist with the trucking of water,

with each councillor receiving 10 water tanks, with capacity for 500 gallons

each, to assist residents.

“Even as these efforts continue and are

being expanded, it is nonetheless quite clear that a special initiative

reflecting joined-up Government is needed to address our people’s need for

water in what is projected to be a dry year,” Minister McKenzie said in his

speech.

“The ministry is pleased to be part of the

committee that contributed to the creation of the drought management plan. We

are ready to play our part in its implementation to secure the health, industry

and prosperity of our citizens,” he added.