KINGSTON, Jamaica – With several parishes across the island currently experiencing severe drought conditions, Shadow Minister on Water, Ian Hayles, is expressing alarm that water trucks he said were procured by the last People’s National party (PNP) government, have been left in a state of ‘disrepair.’

In a statement on Thursday, Hayles revealed that the trucks, which cost taxpayers billions of dollars, formed part of the fleet of trucks in the Rapid Response Unit, which was implemented to help manage the nation’s water crisis.

The shadow minister noted that in 2015, Negril endured one of its worst droughts on record, prompting the government at the time to deploy over 20 water trucks to provide relief to affected residents. However, he went on to note that when the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) assumed office in 2016, they “dismantled the Rapid Response Unit.”

He said at the time the unit had some 39 trucks dedicated to addressing emergency water supply needs. He expressed that since then, “these trucks which are parked at the National Water Commission (NWC) offices in St James and Portmore, have languished in a state of ruin and disrepair.”

“It is deeply concerning that in the face of such dire circumstances, the government has failed to implement a proactive and sustainable strategy to manage the current drought,” the shadow minister stated.

“The decision to dismantle the Rapid Response Unit has left communities vulnerable and without adequate support during times of water scarcity.”

He went on to state that, “the neglect of essential water infrastructure assets, such as the fleet of water trucks, is indicative of the government’s lack of commitment to ensuring water security for all Jamaicans.”

“The inaction exacerbates the suffering of communities already grappling with the impacts of drought, including water shortages, agricultural losses, and economic hardship,” the release read.

The shadow minister expressed that in light of these issues, the government is being urged to take “immediate action to address the drought, including reactivating the Rapid Response Unit, increasing investment in water conservation and management, as well as prioritising the maintenance and upkeep of essential water infrastructure, including water treatment plants, pipelines, and reservoirs.”

“The government has a responsibility to prioritise the well-being of its citizens and safeguard their access to clean and reliable water,” Hayles emphasised.

“We cannot afford to continue neglecting the urgent needs of communities facing drought. Immediate action is needed to mitigate the impacts of the crisis and ensure water security for all Jamaicans.”