The Government is to spend J$1 billion on improving rural water systems across the island.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the allocation during his contribution to the 2024/2025 Budget Debate on Thursday, March 21.

“Having gone around the country into the rural areas, I have heard the cries loud and clear from persons who complained bitterly about not having water. To be clear, many of these persons were not NWC customers, they lived far from any water utility system. They rely on natural sources, springs and rivers or local supply systems such as catchment tanks or entombment,” Holness said.

This is in addition to J$409 million allocated to effect upgrades in minor water system projects nationally.

The projects are outlined below:

Irrigation

The Government will allocate J$1.9 billion to complete the installation of irrigation pipes, fittings, and a renewable energy plant to power the irrigation system and construct storage and distribution facilities in Essex Valley, Manchester.

Additionally, farmers will benefit from 27 kilometres of farm road being rehabilitated.

“In the Southern Plains Irrigation Scheme in Parnasuss, Clarendon and both Amity Hall and Bridge Pen in
St Catherine, we are investing over J$1.5 billion to provide access to irrigation water on fallow sugar lands to increase agricultural productivity,” Holness added.