ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – The Government, through the National Water Commission (NWC), on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Can-Cara Development Limited (CDL) for the provision of bulk water, sewerage, and irrigation services to NWC customers in South East St Catherine.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Audrey Sewell outlined the scope of the project.

“Under this MoU, Can-Cara will provide the infrastructure needed for the conveyance of residential and commercial sewage from agreed existing and proposed NWC customers to the existing CDL sewage plant, (and) will also provide for the benefit of the Western Spanish Town Projects water supplies from its well, to the NWC, for distribution by the NWC to its customers,” she said.

The project, which will be implemented in three phases, forms part of the privatisation of the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Project Lands – Transaction Structure, where CDL was approved by Cabinet to be the provider of potable water and sewage disposal services to the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Project.

During the signing ceremony, which took place at the ministry’s head office, Minister without Portfolio, Matthew Samuda said the project can be used as a blueprint for Jamaica.

“This project is seen to be a great investment and of great value to the development of South East St Catherine, as it can be used as a blueprint for wider Jamaica. This partnership with a private supplier will promote the planning and designs of both commercial and residential developments within the study area and its environs,” he said.

Samuda noted that the project is one of several steps being taken by the Government to move closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which speaks to clean water and sanitation by 2030.

“While we are rapidly expanding housing conditions for our citizens, we understand that the expansion of housing developments must be coupled with the necessary infrastructure to guarantee comfortability in each area. Therefore, the Government of Jamaica through this engagement intends to provide additional sources of water, to improve the delivery of quality, reliable, and continuous water supply to the population”, explained Samuda.

President of the National Water Commission, Mark Barnett, described the MoU as an example of the NWC’s efforts to engage and leverage private financing, in order to expand infrastructure to provide the necessary support for its customers.