Negril Primary getting four tanks to replace stolen one

While the school only lost one water tank to thieves, the Negril Primary School in Westmoreland is poised to get at least four new ones as replacement, which should put whatever water woes they had behind them for good.

Senator Matthew Samuda, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, said he has given instruction to the Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL) to replace the tank. But the school had already been gifted three tanks, two by Ian Hayles, the People's National Party's (PNP) caretaker candidate for Westmoreland Western, and one by the Negril Entertainment Association.

"I have instructed the Rural Water Supply Limited to have that tank replaced in the coming days, and to ensure that there is no further disruption because of a lack of a tank," Samuda said, while speaking at Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

When news broke that what was then the school's only tank was stolen, Prime Minister Andrew Holness condemned the act, and urged the police to hunt down and apprehend the culprits. Samuda said his ministry maintains a close relationship with the Ministry of Education and Youth and stands ready to serve when they are challenges.

Samuda also noted that steps will be taken to forge a partnership between the RWSL and the Ministry of Education and Youth to ensure that educational institutions are always on the radar when it comes to addressing the need for water. He said other critical institutions will be given the same consideration.

"I [would like to] encourage administrators of critical infrastructure, regardless of whether they are educational, health or otherwise, to coordinate closer with the National Water Commission and to not be premature in any decisions, as we do have the capacity to respond," said Samuda. "You will have persons [taking steps] to ensure that our schools and our health centres are indeed able to function in the morning, once we have the information."