Member of Parliament for St Catherine North East, Kerensia Morrison is welcoming as a step in the right direction the move by the National Water Commission (NWC) to write off debts for pensioners and customers who have been assessed to be in need and have been disconnected for monies owed for two years or more.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the water debt write-off at the Jamaica Labour Party’s annual conference on Sunday, noting that the assessment of those in need is to be made based on the criteria which is used by the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) programme.

Morrison says the announcement that the NWC will write off the debt totally and wave reconnection fees for some customers is a step in the right direction which will allow persons to reconnect legally and facilitate the transfer of titles where outstanding bills currently present a challenge.

While addressing a media conference at the JLP’s Belmont Road headquarters, Morrison reasoned that the announcements will ease the burden on Jamaicans. She says intensifying the pace of title transfer will also boost Jamaica’s economy as it facilitates commerce and development.

“My constituents and I also welcome the announcement that for persons who have been disconnected for longer than six months, who come in and make payment arrangements, the NWC will discount the debt by 50 per cent, or further based on needs assessment, and allow for up to one year for repayment. This will bring much needed relief to Jamaicans who are suffering with the weight of bills from major household leaks in the past. I note that the amnesty will last three months and will commence on January 2 next year,” Morrison told the media briefing.

The Member of Parliament said she had also taken careful note of the announcement that the NWC will assist pensioners who have had high water bills and who take advantage of the amnesty, with leak detection services to detect and prevent the reoccurrence of leaks.

“Quite frankly, the announcements regarding water are a win-win. Not only will they save the NWC the effort and expense of pursuing some people who are in debt but it is yet another indication that the Government of the Jamaica Labour Party cares for the people of Jamaica and is willing to not only say we care but take tangible action to demonstrate that we care. I look forward to seamless implementation of the announcements,” Morrison said.

She also chided Opposition Spokesman on Water, Ian Hayles, for criticising the announcements. She rejected as “categorically false” criticisms by Hayles who had described the announcement as a knee-jerk reaction.

“The Opposition spokesman and the PNP should take the time to brief themselves before they make inaccurate statements. Had they so done, they would have known that prior to announcement, the Government had conducted a pilot project in Portmore concerning facilitating those who are indebted to the NWC and the project was a major success and resulted in customers being legally reconnected,” Morrison said.