The National Water Commission (NWC) is to spend $2 billion (US$18.4 million) to implement the 26 Facilities Project as part of the Kingston Metropolitan Area Water Supply Improvement Programme.

The project is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and seeks to provide improved water supply to residents, in keeping with the Commission’s targets and the nation’s Vision 2030 goals.

“Essentially, this project involves the rehabilitation and improvement of 26 water supply facilities in the Corporate Area, which have, over the years, lost their efficiency or have become inadequate to meet the demands being placed on them by a growing population in the Kingston Metropolitan Area,” Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill said.

He was making his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 3.

The Minister added that the project will positively impact on all constituencies in Kingston and St. Andrew.

In the meantime, Mr. Pickersgill informed that the work currently being undertaken on the Upper Montrose/ Montrose/ Lady Musgrave Avenue Sanitary Sewer in South Eastern St. Andrew, is costing $80 million.

He informed that work involves the construction of 1200 meters of sanitary sewers, adding that discussions are underway with the National Works Agency (NWA) with regard to the refurbishing of the roadways.

The Minister also provided an update on work under way in the upgrading and rehabilitation of the Highland Meadows (May Pen) housing development sewerage facilities and its connection to the Mineral Heights sewage treatment plant.

He informed that the capital cost on the project, which is scheduled for completion by the end of the month, is $15 million

“This project benefits approximately 150 residents in Central Clarendon and involves the installation of 140 meter of sanitary sewers, together with the restoration of a pumping station complete with electro-mechanical equipment, Jamaica Public Service and standby power supply,” Mr. Pickersgill said.

By Latonya Linton