KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda, has assured that the Jericho Pipeline Project in St Catherine will be completed by its December 2023 timeline.

The minister toured the project alongside National Water Commission (NWC) representatives on September 28, where he observed the scope of works being undertaken.

The $125-million project sees the NWC laying new pipelines on 0.8 kilometres of roadway to transfer additional water from its newly commissioned well at the Jericho site into the existing pipeline network. The Jericho well yields more than two million gallons of water per day.

The scope of work also includes road reinstatement, while the objectives of the project are to ensure improved supply reliability, and an augmented source to existing water supply systems.

Speaking with journalists during the tour, the minister hailed the project as a “major capital investment” being made by the NWC and the ministry.

“There are some 10,000 households that will be impacted and have already been impacted. Ultimately, we’re very happy with the progress and we’re working to ensure that this community has a Merry Christmas and we complete the work,” Samuda said.

“Though they are already seeing the benefit of this $125 million, we want to ensure that we complete the work, we complete the restoration of the road and that the citizens are, indeed, happy and they have reliable water supply. This is a massive investment… . I want to assure residents that the work will be completed, it will be completed on time and we’re on track with [the] budget,” he added.

At the same time, the minister called on the residents to play their part in seeing to the success of the project.

“We’re doing our part; we’re going to need the citizens to do their part. Those who are not connected to the network legally, we’re going to be working with them to get on to the network legally. Those who are intent on breaking the law, we will be working with the political directorate to ensure that the good doesn’t suffer for the bad and that the network isn’t compromised when we make these investments,” Samuda said.

– JIS