$22.7 million Financing Agreement signed for Carder Park Wastewater Project in Port Antonio

The National Water Commission (NWC) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF)  have signed a Financing Agreement valued at over J$22.7 million, for work to be undertaken on the Carder Park Wastewater Project in Port Antonio, Portland.

Through the Financing Agreement, the TEF will provide the funding to facilitate connections from the Carder Park Mini Stadium, and the Portland Craft Village, to the existing Anchovy Treatment Plant, pumping stations and sewage mains that form part of Port Antonio Water Sewerage and Drainage Project.

Speaking at the signing ceremony yesterday (August 20, 2025) in Port Antonio, Minister without Portfolio Hon. Matthew Samuda said the partnership between the NWC and the TEF is representative of the Government’s commitment to “cleaning and greening”  the length and breadth of Jamaica.

“Our people must have the right mechanisms, the right systems, the right engineering,  to dispose of their waste whether solid or otherwise, to protect that environment.  That can’t happen without good wastewater systems,  so I am very happy and wish to extend my own thanks  to the TEF and the technical team at the National Water Commission, who have designed a particular solution  to ensure that those within the vicinity of the Craft Village  are able to have their sewage be lifted away from that space to the appropriate treatment plant”, he stated.

The Minister added that the Government will be continuing the expansion of sewage and wastewater systems in townships across the country, adding that more capital is being deployed at a faster rate that ever before, to invest in potable water, irrigation systems and wastewater systems.

“Some $22 billion has been committed for this fiscal year and is already underway for deployment. That $22 billion includes $10.7 billion being funded from the Consolidated Fund to the NWC for its capital works programme”, he stated.

Carder Park and the Portland Craft Village, which represent Phase One of the wastewater project, are high-volume generators that are critical for achieving the minimum flows required for the efficient operation of the Anchovy Wastewater Treatment Plant, and to deliver the intended environmental and public health benefits.

This first phase is expected to pave the way for the connection of more than 400 remaining properties to the Anchovy Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The works include the design and installation of sewer network for both facilities; the installation of a grease trap system at the Craft Market; a sump and pump station for sewage collection; the installation of a pumping line across West Town River Bridge and Allan Avenue; and connection to the existing main sewer network for conveyance to the Anchovy Wastewater Treatment Plant.