Several communities in Western Westmoreland that had been without piped water for between 30 and 60 years now have the precious commodity flowing through their taps.

Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson, gave an update on the water situation in his constituency on Tuesday, as he opened the 2022/23 State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives.

During his contribution to the debate last year, Wilson revealed that 18 communities in the constituency lacked regular potable water. One such community was Blackness, Wilson’s hometown. He said parts of the community had been without water for 30 years. Not anymore.

“I am pleased to inform this honourable House that Blackness is now fully connected, which means that all sections of Blackness now have water,” Wilson shared.

He also updated the House on the communities of Brighton, Retirement and Orange Hill, whose residents he said did not have water flowing through their pipes for 60 years. That is as long as Jamaica has been an independent nation.

That situation changed on August 25 when Wilson recalled that he was joined by Matthew Samuda, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in commissioning the Nonpareil/Retirement/Orange Hill Water Project.

“This water project has a price tag of $475 million, serving over 9,000 residents in nine communities and districts, Wilson said.

“Promise made, promise kept,” he added.

He said this particular water system reflects not only his commitment to the people of Westmoreland Western but also the Government’s commitment to the people of Jamaica in ensuring that every Jamaican has access to potable and reliable water.

Wilson said more good news was on the horizon as he recently toured Moreland Hill with the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie, to assess the feasibility of implementing a water system for approximately 9,000 residents.

“For those in Moreland Hill who are listening, I know you’ve been waiting for over 60 years, but you’ve only had a working MP for two years. Please be patient with me,” Wilson told his constituents.

And, he said he was aware that Negril residents, businesses, and hoteliers have been waiting with bated breath for the Negril Water Improvement Project. This system will pump water from the Roaring River to Negril, passing through the five electoral divisions of Friendship, Grange Hill, Little London, Sheffield, and ending in Negril. Wilson said Samuda has agreed to collaborate with him on getting the project started.