GG outline big plans for water

The Government has programmed approximately 21 water supply upgrading and expansion projects for fiscal year 2024-25 at a forecast expenditure of more than $2.5 billion.

Governor General Patrick Allen made the disclosure while delivering the Throne Speech during the 2024-25 ceremonial opening of Parliament at Gordon House on Thursday. He informed that 200,000 Jamaicans islandwide benefited from water improvement projects, costing some $4 billion, during fiscal year 2023-24.

Pointing out that "building a resilient Jamaica requires access to potable water", the governor general stated that the Government has been unrelenting in its quest to increase the water footprint, with the overarching goal of achieving universal access by 2030.

Some of the major developments planned include the Rio Cobre Treatment Plant project, which will commence this year under a public-private partnership arrangement at a cost of US$77 million.

This will provide an additional 15.5 million gallons of water daily to the Kingston Metropolitan Area, upon completion, effectively ending the need for water lock-offs in the dry season in Kingston, St Andrew and Portmore, the governor general said.