TRELAWNY, Jamaica — As the drought across the island intensifies, Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor C Junior Gager is expressing gratitude to Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie for a $14 milllion allocation for the purchase of a new water truck.

“I must say thanks to the minister (of local government) who has provided the funding for us to buy a new water truck. That truck is now at the dealer. We are making arrangements to get it insured so it will be on the road soon,” Gager told OBSERVER ONLINE.

“That (truck) will go a far way in easing some of the problems that especially the schools and other places have been experiencing,” he added.

Recently, the Government allocated $50 million for the trucking of water to areas most affected by the dry spell. Senator Mathew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation, who is assigned portfolio responsibilities for water, says the funds will assist the National Water Commission and the municipal corporations with the trucking of water up to the end of March.

Gager is expressing confidence that the parish will also benefit from the $50 million allocation.

“We have not received any of that funding as yet but I am sure we will not be left out because we in Trelawny are also experiencing this serious drought,” he expressed.

-Horace Hines