KINGSTON, Jamaica— Noting that the trucking of water is being monitored in drought-stricken areas of western Jamaica, Water Minister Matthew Samuda is assuring residents that the police have been asked to probe allegations of tampering with the National Water Commission’s network.

He appealed to residents to report on any such interferences when spotted.

Samuda was speaking at a press conference on Monday to address the water crisis in Negril, Westmoreland.

“I want to also assure residents, we’re monitoring this issue of trucking, very, very, very closely. We’ve asked the police to take a look at those allegations. If anyone is tampering with the Water Commission network, we’re asking you to report it to the police or to report it to the office of the president of (NWC), or myself,” the minister said.

“We have no evidence of it. But the accusations continue and we want to assure citizens that if they report it, we will investigate and we will punish anyone who is caught in that regard,” he added.

Samuda noted that while the trucking of water is not ideal, it is the available emergency recourse.

“I also want to assure residents that we are clear that trucking is not the only or the best option, but it is the option we have for emergency response right now. It is why we are also ensuring that additional trucking will be made available to the citizens going into the end of May where an assessment will be done, if hopefully, Evon [Thompson, director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica] and team has done the rain dance and we’ve gotten the rain that we’re praying for, we can step back,” he said.

“If not, we will again make additional allocations. We’re clear that this is having a debilitating impact. And we’re also working around the clock to ensure that persons get the emergency response,” he added.