Persons with disabilities to benefit from NWC amnesty programme

Persons with disabilities or their verified caregivers have been added to the list of beneficiaries under the National Water Commission (NWC) Amnesty Programme.

Eligible persons must be registered with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD).

The amnesty is for customers who have been disconnected for debts to the NWC for two years or more, who are pensioners or who are assessed as being in need based on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) beneficiary identification standards.

The three-month amnesty was announced in November of last year and came into effect on January 2, 2025.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Honorable Pearnel Charles Jr. said the Government remains committed to ensuring that every citizen, and especially of the country's most vulnerable groups, is provided with the access to essential services that promote their well-being and dignity.

"The amnesty in its current form allows eligible NWC customers... to have their debts written off partially or in full. We are very happy to see pensioners and those on PATH, [and] we now have persons with disabilities being embraced by the amnesty to receive full benefit," he said.

The Minister was speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on Wednesday (February 26).

Charles Jr. informed that the JCPD has a database of approximately 50,000 individuals but just over 17,000 persons are fully registered as members.

He said of the 17,000, approximately 12,925 are over 18 and could benefit from the amnesty.

"Our objective is to establish a special criterion with the National Water Commission's water amnesty programme to provide relief to persons with disabilities or their verified caregivers, thereby ensuring that they can benefit fully from this amnesty," he said.

He noted that this action aligns with Jamaica's commitment to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, particularly article three and 28 which emphasise the rights of persons with disabilities to an adequate standard of living, which includes access to clean water surfaces and social protection without discrimination.

"This principle guides our commitment to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind. The amnesty would also provide for the caregivers," he said.

Section 2 (1) of the Disabilities Act defines a caregiver as a parent, a legal guardian or any other person responsible for caring for the health, financial, physical, security and general well-being of a person with disability.

Meanwhile, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Honorable Matthew Samuda, said the board of the Commission has given its full approval and support for the expansion.

"The primary beneficiaries are pensioners and those on PATH. We have also extended the beneficiary list to those who are trying to transfer titles from persons who would have died, who left particular size bills, to facilitate commercial transactions," he said.

He pointed out that the programme may be extended to facilitate the community to fully benefit from the initiative.

"We are happy to partner... . Should the need arise when we see what the feedback is from the community, we will contemplate extension for the disabled community to give them adequate time to engage the Water Commission on this programme," Minister Samuda said.

He also urged persons to call ahead and make appointments, thereby reducing their waiting times.

Through the amnesty, persons owing the NWC for more than six months can benefit from a 50 per cent write-off on their balances.

- JIS

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