KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Water Commission (NWC) has collected over $547 million under its ongoing amnesty programme to reconnect customers who have been disconnected from the system for over six months, due to being indebted to the water utility.

Some 34,000 customers have so far benefitted, according to Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Water, Matthew Samuda.

Samuda was speaking Tuesday while making his maiden contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

At the same time, NWC has written off over $1.4 billion of debt “from those who most needed it, restoring the supply of water and returning dignity to households”, Samuda said.

“This amnesty has benefitted pensioners, PATH (Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education) recipients, and members of the disabled community with up to a 100 per cent reprieve, and up to 50 per cent for other categories of customers,” he stated.

He told the House that as of Friday, May 16, over 34,000 customers have engaged the process and are seeking to benefit from the amnesty. He said the total reconnections so far is 7,901.

About the more than half-a-billion dollars collected by the commission, Samuda noted that it is revenue that “would’ve been uncollectible otherwise”.