KINGSTON, Jamaica — Persons with disabilities or their verified caregivers have been added to the list of beneficiaries under the National Water Commission (NWC) Amnesty Programme.

Eligible residents must be registered with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD).

The amnesty is for customers who have been disconnected for debts to the NWC for two years or more, who are pensioners or who are assessed as being in need based on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) beneficiary identification standards.

The three-month amnesty was announced in November of last year and came into effect on January 2, 2025.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr said the Government remains committed to ensuring that every citizen, and especially of the country’s most vulnerable groups, is provided with the access to essential services that promote their well-being and dignity.

“The amnesty in its current form allows eligible NWC customers… to have their debts written off partially or in full. We are very happy to see pensioners and those on PATH, [and] we now have persons with disabilities being embraced by the amnesty to receive full benefit,” he said.

The minister was speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on Wednesday.

Charles informed that the JCPD has a database of approximately 50,000 individuals but just over 17,000 persons are fully registered as members.

He said of the 17,000, approximately 12,925 are over 18 and could benefit from the amnesty.

– JIS