KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness, on Friday, broke ground for phase three of the Port Royal pipeline replacement project.

The Government, through the National Water Commission (NWC), will be undertaking the replacement of the aged cast iron transmission main located between the Norman Manley International Airport roundabout and the NWC pumping station at the eastern entrance of Port Royal.

The project will be completed within the next six months at a cost of $433 million.

In his keynote address, Holness said investing heavily in infrastructure is a priority of the government.

He noted that for the last 40 years, the government has borrowed to finance development, but things are changing.

“We are able today to finance infrastructure development not from borrowing, not from deferred expenditure but from our budget,” Holness said.

He informed that the new water main will improve the quality of life of Port Royal residents through improved service reliability, and pave the way for further developments.

“In the next budget year, we will now be able to focus on doing some revetment works along the coastline here, to protect the land from a catastrophic weather event should one occur and then we will be able to build more social housing, the other complaint of the people of Port Royal about the condition of their housing,” the prime minister said.

In his remarks, NWC Chairman, Michael Shaw, said the project is part of NWC’s abiding and strategic commitment to improving the lives of its valued customers.

Some sections of the existing main have become sunken in sand and/or submerged in the coastal waters, making it susceptible to breaks that are difficult to locate and inevitably, delayed repairs.

Shaw said the Commission is delivering on its core value of innovation by using the latest technology in the pipeline project.

The NWC will replace the existing water main with approximately 8.6 kilometres of 12-inch High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline.

The HDPE pipes are made of a polymer-based composite that is more resilient to the high saltwater levels common to the area and the pipeline is expected to last for up to 50 years.

“This groundbreaking and laying of pipes is covering two critical things. We are resolving the NRW [non-revenue water] issues where there is so much leakage and putting in pipes that will be long lasting for the communities,” Shaw explained.

Initial upgrade works commenced in 2012 from Harbour View to the roundabout at the Norman Manley International Airport and the second phase is now underway at the facility situated near the Port Royal Town Centre.

– JIS