NORWOOD, St James — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has committed to having the prolonged lack of potable water supply in this community resolved. According to him, some pipes were laid about two decades ago but remained disconnected from the National Water Commission (NWC) supply.

“I intend to ensure that the NWC is here in short order to look at the problem and bring a solution,” Holness assured during his address to a land-titling ceremony in Norwood, St James, Monday evening.

The ceremony which saw 70 titles being handed over by the Housing Agency of Jamaica was held at Norwood Apostolic Lighthouse Church.

According to the prime minister, while the community has benefited from significant infrastructural investment in roads, sidewalks, and provisions for electrification, “the big problem you have now is water”.

Holness noted that while pipes have been laid, he was told they are not connected.

“Some of these pipes were laid maybe 20 years ago. When I was doing my preparations to address you, that was one of the things that was flagged,” he said.

“In discussion with your Member of Parliament [Dr Horace Chang], last night, we decided that we would mobilise the NWC to come and take a look here to see exactly what the issues are, to make the necessary connections and to ensure that you have water,” Holness said.

Addressing reports that one of the blocks has had no water for an extended period, he noted “that cannot continue, and it must be addressed”.

Concerns surrounding the supply of domestic water to Norwood were raised by Dr Chang, who is also the deputy prime minister, in 2021 during a tour of the area with the NWC, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund and the security forces.