NEGRIL, Westmoreland — With Negril in the grips of a water crisis, the theft of one of four water tanks from the local primary school has hit the institution hard. Principal of Negril Primary, Sheron Suckra is worried they may have to close their doors unless the tank and its contents are replaced.

“With this water crisis and the shortage of water that is being prolonged now, I hardly think that we’ll be able to manage quite well for the rest of the week if we do not get water in the tanks,” she told the Jamaica Observer on Monday.

“We are making an appeal to anyone who might be able to donate a few tanks to us. We’d be happy to have them,” she urged.

She said she got news of the theft on Easter Monday, April 1.

“I was informed by the groundsman that one of two tanks was stolen from the rear end of the school. It is alleged that it was taken, removed, and it went over the fence,” she said.

When classes resumed a week later, she said, the grade one students were most inconvenienced.

“They had no water from the fountains that we have for them. Their restroom, we had to abandon it too, and they had to come down to restrooms that are used by the upper school students,” Suckra said.

The impact has also been felt in other sections of the school.

“This morning our school reopened and our canteen did not have any running water. We had to catch water from the outside for the operations of the canteen, likewise the tuck shop,” the distraught principal explained.

She said the “alarming” situation has left her in shock.

“It is so unfortunate, and it tells you that people do not value education. If you can steal the resources that are used to assist children in their learning, it is just painting a bad image for our community. It doesn’t feel good at all, it’s not a good feeling,” bemoaned Suckra.

Negril straddles the parishes of Westmoreland and Hanover which been experiencing a water crisis. Just last Thursday Senator Matthew Samuda, who has responsibility for the water portfolio, said $25 million will be allocated for the trucking of water to both parishes and that funds have been identified to secure 2,000 tanks for persons in need.

He also spoke of long-term measures that will be put in place, including the allocation of US$70 million for pipework.