MANCHESTER, Jamaica —— Local Government Minister and Jamaica Labour Party Deputy Leader Desmond McKenzie says so far $31 million has been allocated to municipal corporations for drought relief.

“The drought is really hampering the country right now and we released some funds to the Manchester Municipal Corporation just this week for the trucking of water. I will be making some announcements next week as to what we will be doing through Local Government to provide assistance for the parishes that are really badly affected by drought conditions, so the Government has responded by providing over $350 million through the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation,” McKenzie said on Saturday during a tour of Christiana in the Manchester North East constituency.

Many households in Manchester and the wider south-central Jamaica have had to rely on rainwater harvesting.

The long-standing issue of water supply has not only affected households, but commerce, with businesses suffering from the inconsistency in the supply of the precious commodity.

McKenzie committed to increasing the allocation for drought relief.

“I have allocated some $10 million to Portland yesterday and other the last couple of days we have released about some $31 million and we will be topping up that as we go along,” he said.

McKenzie also announced plans for a water shop in Top Hill near Walderston.

“…. Two things that we have highlighted on the tour since morning is the need of a water system up in the Top Hill area of the constituency. The lines are there. Already there is a tank there, but [it] is inadequate. The ministry will be now looking to see how we can improve to put in a water shop that has been requested to see if we can increase the capacity of the water systems. A community centre was also mentioned and I have given instructions for that to be looked into,” he said.

He also said that there are plans to modernise the Christiana Market.

“I must confess that this is one of the better kept markets in the parish of Manchester. I know the vendors would want to hear about the development that is expected to take place, but those announcements will come in the third term, because I don’t want anybody to say that I come here to make promises,” he said.

McKenzie was also joined by outgoing Manchester North East Member of Parliament Audley Shaw and Shaw’s replacement as party representative in the constituency, Audrey Marks.

“Today’s tour is to firm up Audrey Marks as the Jamaica Labour Party’s standard bearer in a constituency built by Audley Shaw, so we are moving now from and Audley Shaw to Audrey Marks. Councillor [Omar] Miller is here and other members of the team who have built this constituency over the years. I came today, because this is a part of the Choose Jamaica crusade,” said McKenzie.

“I want to place on record the gratitude of the Jamaica Labour Party to Audley for the many years of commitment and dedication to this constituency…” added McKenzie.