10,000 water tanks ready for distribution

Two years after Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness promised 10,000 black water tanks to struggling households, the long-awaited relief is finally about to flow.

De facto Water Minister Matthew Samuda has announced that the massive distribution will kick off before the end of February, bringing hope to thousands of Jamaicans grappling with water shortages.

"The procurement is complete, which is the hardest part of these things... so delivery to our poorer households of these 10,000 tanks right across the length and breadth of Jamaica is expected to commence before the end of February," Samuda said.

Samuda was speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Stanton Housing Scheme Water Upgrade Project in St Thomas on Friday. He said that each of the country's 63 constituencies will get approximately 150.

The 10,000 black water tanks forms as part of programme by the government to improve water-storage capabilities.

"This is work that we are doing to ensure that our most vulnerable get the benefit that they must receive from a Government that has performed at a macro level," the minister said.

Prime Minister Holness announced in the 2023/24 Budget Debate that the government would be providing 10,000 black water tanks to needy households across Jamaica. He said focus will initially be placed on areas adversely affected by drought.

"Households on the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education, households recommended by members of parliament and assessed by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation will qualify for the tanks, according to the rules of the programme," the prime minister said three two years ago.