NEGRIL, Westmoreland — After months of complaints that a water shortage has been wreaking havoc on Negril, minister with portfolio responsibility for water Senator Matthew Samuda has announced that the commodity will be trucked to two parishes which the resort town straddles.

“We’ve allocated an additional $25 million, for the next six weeks, to facilitate trucking in Hanover and Westmoreland,” the minister revealed.

There is also a plan to provide water storage tanks for the needy, and Samuda referenced the previously announced US$70 million allocated for pipe work expected to begin later this year.

“We are experiencing a chronic drought in the area and the impacts are being felt by citizens and we empathise. But we do not just empathise, we’ve taken several steps that we believe will alleviate this pressure,” he told the Jamaica Observer in an interview on Thursday at Couples Swept Away in Negril.

This was after a marathon closed-door meeting between Samuda, the National Water Commission, local health officials, hoteliers and other stakeholders. He told them that the black tanks “will be distributed as soon as the purchase and deliveries take place”. He also spoke of plans to update and outline capital works from Martha Brae into St James with the Great River System.

The minister explained why it had been important for state agencies to convene and discuss the dire challenges those who live, visit and do business in the resort town have been having in accessing water.

“We took the time to come and explain the things we were doing — short-, medium-, and long-term — to alleviate the issue,” Samuda said.

He conceded that it was a challenging time for the affected communities but stressed that help was on the way.

“We’re very clear that it’s a tough time. We’re clear that it hasn’t been easy, and it won’t be easy for the next four to six weeks. But we’re doing everything in our power to make sure we alleviate the pressure that they are facing,” said Samuda.

Last month, placard-bearing tourists joined residents who staged a peaceful protest in West End, Negril, to plead for water needed for daily life. According to residents, they have to pay hefty amounts to purchase water from trucks, some of which they allege are operating illegally.

President of the Negril Chamber of Commerce Elaine Allen-Bradley, who was instrumental in organising Thursday’s meeting, told the Observer that while she was comfortable with the proposals made by Samuda, she hopes they will be backed up by action.

“So far, I am comfortable in a sense that he’s given some long-term, short-term, and medium-term and immediate sort of proposals on how we’re gonna move forward. I think the meeting went very well. We’ve been to meetings like these, and we’ve heard the talks, and we’d now like him to walk the talk,” Allen-Bradley said.

“Negril is on their knees begging. Please pay Negril some attention and give them back some of the money that they’re earning for the [tourism] industry,” she pleaded, a refrain often echoed by others who do business in the town.

Member of Parliament for Western Hanover Tamika Davis told the Observer that this has been their most difficult challenge accessing water.

“Western Hanover has seen the worst-ever crisis that we will ever witness. Most of the communities have the same cry: there is simply no water,” she said.

She is looking forward to the implementation of a short-term fix, followed by long-term solutions.

“We’re happy to hear that these plans that are afoot are about to be embarked on,” Davis added.