KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda, on Wednesday received, on behalf of the National Water Commission (NWC), a shipment of pipes valued at $1.3 billion.

According to a press release, the large ductile iron pipes were procured and delivered by contractor, Deryck A. Gibson Limited, and range from 100 millimetre or four inches to 600 millimetre or 24 inches in diameter. The pipes will be used on at least 9 project locations islandwide.

“With the delivery of this shipment of pipes we are that much closer to the implementation of improvement projects that will directly benefit thousands of Jamaicans in both urban and rural communities,” Minister Samuda said.

The areas to receive the pipes include, Greater Mandeville Water Supply Improvement Project, Kingsland to Greenvale, Phase 1-A2 in Manchester, which will get six inch and 24 inch pipes, Hounslow Water Supply: Hopewell to Billy’s Bay / Treasure Beach (Fort Charles Road) Pipeline; in St Elizabeth, which will get six inch pipes; Minard Well to Minard Relift in Brown’s Town, St Ann, which will get 12 inch pipes.

Additionally, four inch, eight inch and 12 inch pipes will be given to the Whitehall Water Supply Project in St Thomas, 16 inch pipes will be given to Stanton Terrace to Marescaux Road Pipeline Project in Kingston and St Andrew, 12 inch pipes will be given to Ferry to Rock Pond, St Andrew and Mammee Bay to St. Ann’s Bay, in St Ann, and 24 inch pipes will be given to Molynes/Washington Blvd to Dunrobin Avenue/Constant Spring Road in St Andrew, and six inch pipes for Oracabessa / Hamilton Mountain Project in St Mary.

“In addition to these pipes, there is a general commitment of the Government of Jamaica and the NWC to undertake many more such projects valued at up to $7 billion this coming year,” said Minister Samuda.