Ground was broken yesterday ( March 14, 2024) for construction to commence on the much-anticipated Rio Cobre Content Water Treatment Plant Project at Content in St. Catherine.

The US$77 million, or JM$12 billion project, is being hailed as a significant development in the effort to boost the water security of several communities within St. Catherine as well as Kingston and St. Andrew (KSA), particularly during times of drought.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness described the project as a “win-win” for the National Water Commission (NWC), its customers, and all of Jamaica, adding that the demand for potable water had increased, as a result of the growth being experienced in the country.

“Within the last 5 decades,  the growth of residential, business, and industrial users has resulted in the establishment of several new commercial entities and residential communities in various sections of the KMA which has resulted in a significant increase in the demand for potable water.  As the economy continues to grow and with increased climate variability and change,  the situation will get worse.  A solution therefore had to be found.  This project is therefore one of many solutions being implemented across our island”, he explained.

The Prime Minister added that the system will provide an additional 15 million gallons per day (MiGD) to some 150,000 customers or 600,000 residents of Spanish Town and its environs, Old Harbour Road, and Portmore as well as Kingston and St. Andrew, including communities in Western Kingston.

The project involved a Water Purchase Agreement that was signed in November 2022, between the National Water Commission and a Special Purpose Vehicle to be incorporated by, or on behalf of Vinci Construction Grands Projets (VCGP), Eppley Limited, and PanJam Group Limited.

It involves the design, build, finance, operate, maintain, and transfer of a 15 Million Imperial Gallon a day Water Treatment Plant, and will constitute two years to build the plant plus a further 23-year arrangement for the Project team to operate and maintain the system.

Prime Minister Holness outlined the scope of work on the project.

“The Scope of Works entails the construction of an intake system inclusive of lift pumps (duty and back up pumps);  the construction of a conveyance pipeline from the river (Rio Cobre) to the Treatment Plant; the construction of the 15 MGD capacity treatment plant,  and the interconnection to the NWC’s distribution network”.

Upon completion, the project will also result in better resilience in the water sector during periods of drought and will reduce the need for the trucking of water, as well as the need for water restrictions to affected areas during periods of drought.

Meanwhile, Minister without Portfolio Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda in his remarks, stated that the project is a critical one, in the face of the impacts of climate change including drought, as well as shifting weather patterns.

“From October 2022 to March 2023, Jamaica experienced its worst drought ever.  In the heights of that drought in February  KSA received 8 percent of its 30-year average of rainfall…During that drought, KSA was short 12.5 million gallons daily… therefore the Government is investing at an unprecedented rate in the country’s water infrastructure.”

He noted that the Content Rio Cobre Water Treatment Plant is a major milestone in the history and development of Jamaica and there are many more projects to come on stream, which will show that it is possible to make Jamaica water resilient.

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Over the next two budget cycles, several communities in Western Hanover will benefit from water infrastructure projects totalling some $720 million.

This disclosure was made by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, during a tour of both Western and Eastern Hanover today (January 31, 2024).

Minister Samuda explained that this investment includes the $700 million pipeline from Ruseas to Negril.

“We will start work on that pipeline in the coming fiscal year. That will be a two to three-year project because it involves tanks and additional pumps. But the piping work will start in the new fiscal year which commences in April, when the tendering process begins”, the Minister noted.

Also included in the projects slated for Western Hanover, is the upgrading of the 75-horsepower pump at Kew, to a 150-horsepower pump by the National Water Commission at a cost of J$20 million, to serve the increased population in the area.

“In essence, this $20 million investment will benefit in excess of 4000 households. We are very happy about that, as obviously it will significantly increase the reliability and the capacity of the system to ensure that our citizens in and around this area benefit and get the water that they desperately need and deserve”, the Minister explained.

Minister Samuda pointed out that the pump upgrade was necessary, as the parish of Hanover is now experiencing drought conditions, with very low inflows into the NWC’s facilities.

“Now when you see these low inflows and get back into the cyclical drought that Jamaica faces, one understands why the government is investing at an unprecedented level to ensure that we upgrade the infrastructure that we have”, he stated.

Minister Samuda added that under the Integrated Water Development Strategy outlined by both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, the Government will invest in excess of US$210 million between Martha Brae and Savanna La Mar, over the next five years. This is to ensure that there is reliability and predictability in the water supply.

Minister Samuda was joined on the tour by the Member of Parliament for Western Hanover, Tamika Davis, and the Member of Parliament for Eastern Hanover, Dave Brown, as well as senior representatives of the National Water Commission, and the Rural Water Supply Ltd.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Clifford Warmington, broke ground on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, for the rehabilitation of the road from Browns Town to Runaway Bay in North West St. Ann.

This is the first time that comprehensive rehabilitation is being undertaken on the roadway.

According to Minister Warmington, the Government decided to address more than just the surface of the roadway.

“This J$204 million road rehabilitation project, reinforces our commitment to sustainable development and our unwavering dedication to improving the lives of our citizens.  We understand the frustration caused by dilapidated roads and the traffic congestion, but also the hindrance they pose to economic development.  Therefore, we have formulated an inclusive and ambitious plan to address these challenges”, the Minister stated.

The overall scope of work on the project will include the cleaning of existing drains, the construction of new drains, the installation of stormwater culverts, the construction of retaining walls, as well as the reshaping and asphalting of the road surface.

Meanwhile, Minister Warmington says focus would be placed on identifying community roads, that need attention. As such, he encouraged the Members of Parliament to conduct consultations with the communities in their constituency, to identify the roads in need of repair.

“I intend for the next couple of months and years, to go from constituency to constituency not only to announce but to break ground and cut ribbons” the Minister stated.

Minister Warmington added that the groundbreaking ceremony signifies more than just the physical act of construction.

“As we break ground today, let us remember that this ceremony signifies more than just the physical act of construction.  It symbolizes a collective determination to build a better future,  where roads are the pathways to progress, connecting people, bridging gaps, and propelling Jamaica towards a new horizon”.

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The National Mangrove and Swamp Forest Management Plan has been completed.

The announcement was made on Friday (January 19, 2024) by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, during his State of the Nation Debate in the Senate.

“In recognition of the importance of mangrove forests in sequestering carbon and by extension increasing the country’s resilience to climate change, providing habitat for several coastal species, including fish and birds, shoreline protection, and a key source of livelihood for several Jamaicans, particularly those in the fishery sector, the National Mangrove and Swamp Forest Management Plan is now complete”.

Minister Samuda said the Forestry Department in collaboration with key stakeholders, would ensure that the plan is implemented, adding that it would require several non-governmental organizations, and community groups, to make the document a reality.

The National Mangrove and Swamp Management Plan, which was created by the Forestry Department with funding from the European Union, is the first of its kind for mangrove management in Jamaica.

Jamaica Secures Prestigious Forestry Certification

In the meantime, Minister Samuda advised the Senate that the country has joined the ranks of a few emerging economies to secure standards backed by the International Forest Stewardship Council.

“I am proud to announce that our Forestry Department working in collaboration with the Bureau of Standards and with funding from the EU Budget Support program has secured for Jamaica a prestigious marker of sustainability. Jamaica now joins the ranks, of very few emerging economies to have standards backed by the International Forest Stewardship Council which will allow greater access and increased prices for all forest products bearing this certification”, announced Minister Samuda.

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Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the Government will be taking several steps to further reduce pollution from plastics and microplastics.

Making his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on Friday, (January 19, 2024), Minister Samuda highlighted that the steps would include the development of a National Policy on the Environmentally Sound Management of Single-Use Plastic products to be done this coming fiscal year.

“The Most Hon Prime Minister has announced, ahead of his Budget Debate, that he has directed that a programme aimed at the separation of plastics and other recyclables in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, commence this fiscal year.    We have also previously announced that we will be banning plastic lunch boxes and indeed Personal Care Products with microplastic beads and the target date for this ban is June 1, 2024. We have taken the lesson from the first round of the plastic ban as it relates to public education and need to give sufficient lead time”, he explained.

Minister Samuda noted that Jamaica currently collects over 30% of the plastic bottles produced monthly.

“We commend the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and Recycling Partners of Jamaica who have achieved this, up from 8 percent, three (3) years ago. But we are ambitious with our environmental targets. We are in a race against time to ensure we improve our waste management and one of the ways is to ensure we extract plastic waste from the waste stream.  We will continue to work with stakeholders to determine the appropriate legislation necessary to achieve our goal”.

The goal, the Minister said, is not less than 70 percent of all plastic being produced monthly to be collected and recycled. He also noted that Jamaica is actively participating in negotiations towards an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.

In the meantime, Minister Samuda stated that the government has been channeling its efforts to reduce pollution in other key areas.

He explained that the Government is currently pursuing amendments to several pieces of subsidiary legislation under the NRCA Act.  They include the Air Quality Regulations and the Wastewater and Sludge Regulations.

Minister Samuda added that the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation will be working with its agencies, including NEPA, in the promulgation of the long-outstanding Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations under the NRCA Act in the Fiscal year.

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The Negril Great Morass and Royal Palm Reserve in Negril, Westmoreland, are to be restored under a Government of Jamaica/United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/Global Environment Facility (GEF) Project titled ‘Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States’ (IWECO).

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda made the announcement in his State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on Friday (January 19, 2024).

“The importance of the Negril Great Morass cannot be overemphasized.  Indeed, the Morass is one of the largest natural coastland ecosystems in the Caribbean region and is the habitat for several internationally significant species and has a high level of endemism”, Minister Samuda explained.

Meanwhile, the Minister stated that the Royal Palm Reserve which is home to several endemic species of palms and birds would also be restored under the IWECO Project.   He added that the government intends to rebuild the viewing station on the Reserve.

“Thankfully because of the funding of the GEF and through this UNEP Project we’ve been able to do the design work and the preparatory work, so we’ll go through the investment process to bring this project back to reality”.

Minister Samuda expressed the hope that access to the new facility will prompt interest in the environment, particularly among students who will visit the location for field trips.

He added that the Reserve would also be opened up as a critical green space, for families in the Negril area, as well as visitors to the island.

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Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, broke ground for the much anticipated Portmore Resilience Park on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.

Speaking at the groundbreaking event, Prime Minister Holness says the multi-faceted recreational and wellness park, is part of the Government’s caring agenda and represents a massive investment totaling $4.4 billion, which will come from the Government’s budget.

“We are not borrowing to do this.  Of course, we all listen to what the people say and the people of Portmore have always been saying we need safe, well-built social spaces, and they have been saying this for a long time. This park is part of our caring agenda.  It’s part of saying to you, look we know you need a place that you can jog around in the mornings, that you can just stroll around, that you can spread a picnic blanket and just chill with your friends, or just gather in a safe and clean place, or have a concert. That is how you build the care”, he stated.

The Prime Minister outlined that of the 26 acres comprising the park, 4.5 acres will be reserved for a transportation hub.  Of the remaining 21.5 acres, 18.5 acres will be used for the park itself and 2.75 acres will be allotted for commercial spaces, which he noted would help to subsidize the management cost of the park.

He further explained that smart and green technology will be utilized at the park.

“Solar will be used right throughout, to ensure that we have electricity to operate our pumps and lights and to ensure that we can have proper irrigation so that the park can indeed be green and verdant in its appearance.  We will be making provision for conservation including rainwater harvesting and we expect that we will have about 75 thousand gallons of water that we will be able to harvest from the 26 acres”, he noted.

The park is expected to create about 400 jobs and 200 indirect jobs during its construction phase and will provide about 70 jobs and 30 indirect jobs during its operational phase.

Work is expected to commence on February 5, 2024, with completion expected by September 2025.

 

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For the very first time, some 800 residents from 200 households in Lime Bottom, near Shaw Park in St. Ann, are receiving a more reliable water supply, thanks to a new J$24 million pipeline project, implemented by the National Water Commission (NWC).

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, toured Phase One of the pipeline project on Friday, December 22, 2023, along with Councillor Michael Belnavis, and senior officials of the NWC.

The work in Lime Bottom is part of the NWC’s thrust to extend its network and to bring more reliable water supply to several areas that historically had no formal water supply.

According to Minister Samuda, the work being undertaken would result in a total increase in the distribution network by some two kilometers.

“There’s a section which will carry the line further up the hill and will service a further 200- households.  That work is underway and will be completed shortly. The project is targeting 300 households by the time we have done all the work, but we expect to be over 200 within the next two weeks” the Minister stated.

Before the implementation of the project, residents had installed informal connections at numerous points, to the NWC mains. These individual lines then traversed several hundred feet to several resident’s homes.

Work on the project included the removal of the existing informal lines from the NWC’s network; the installation of the four-inch main to serve as a distribution line, as well as the installation of customer connections to the new supply line.

Minister Samuda who engaged with the residents during the tour, said illegal connections not only result in a loss of revenue for the NWC but also damage its network.

“We need all citizens to reject water theft. It’s not in anyone’s interest for someone to illegally breach the system and connect. It costs us way more than the water they take because invariably that is where the leaks start because people are not connecting properly”, he stated.

He implored the citizens to report illegal connections, adding that the NWC would work with customers to ensure they are regularized.

“Sometimes you run a line and you get a call that people don’t know that they had to sign up or they don’t know the process, so we’ve been working with the community over the last three or four days going house to house to ensure that they all know the process and how they sign up and what documents they have to have and that process will continue apace for the next couple of days to ensure that the community sees the benefit of this construction”, he noted.

 

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Over 5,000 residents of several communities in East Central St. James will experience improvements to their water supply thanks to a $169.2 million project executed by the Rural Water Supply Limited (RWSL) and the National Water Commission (NWC).
 
The project is Phase 1 of the Canaan-Adelphi Water Supply System, which is being upgraded by the NWC at a cost of $869 million, to improve supply to the ever-growing communities in the area.
 
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda commissioned the first phase of the project yesterday (December 14, 2023).

This phase involved the construction of a 300,000-gallon tank at Cedar Hill; the installation of three (3) new pumps at the Canaan Deep-well site; and the installation of 500 meters of 400 mm pipeline from the old tank site to the new tank site in Cedar Hill by Rural Water Supply Limited at a cost of $149 million.

“The project is $149 million invested in the people of East Central St. James, because ‘water is life’ and we say that lightly.  But the development prospects of any community are based on water availability, so this is an investment, a true investment in the future of this area”, the Minister noted.  

An additional $20 million was expended by the NWC, for the installation of 4-inch and 2-inch pipelines from Cedar Hill to Somerton.
 
The benefits of the project include more energy-efficient pumps that will result in increased water production with less pumping time, thereby improving operational efficiency, energy consumption, and sustainable pressure levels.  In addition, the 300,000-gallon bolted steel tank will assist in ensuring that adequate storage capacity is on the system to provide water in the event of power cuts or service disruption in the pipeline.
 
Meanwhile, Minister Samuda noted that the NWC was experiencing the first surplus in its history which gave it the fiscal space to invest in projects such as the Canaan-Adelphi Water Supply. 
 
“We hope this gives you the confidence to understand that when we do commit to spending on the next phase as a part of the J$869 million (investment), that it is coming, that every couple of months we will have an updated report, and that the situation will ease”, he said. 
 
Minister Samuda expressed appreciation to the residents for their patience and support during the execution of the Cedar Hill Tank project.
 
“We are here to serve you better with an improved water supply.  Although these projects take time, they are guaranteed to provide you with sustainable water access”, he stated.
 
For his part, Member of Parliament for East Central St. James, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, expressed his thanks to the Prime Minister, Minister Samuda, the Tourism Enhancement Fund which provided a grant towards improvements to the Canaan-Adelphi Water Supply system, as well as the executing agencies on the project, the NWC and RWSL.
 
The project, when completed, will be able to service approximately 40,000 people up to its designed life, which is 2053.

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Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, endorsed Nature-based Solutions in fortifying disaster resilience along the coastal areas of Jamaica.
 
Minister Samuda, currently participating in the 28^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) being held in Dubai, commented during the Nature for Climate Action Ministerial: Enhancing Cooperation on Nature for Climate Action session held on Monday, December 4.
 
“NbS and current initiatives, such as protected area management (Special Fishery Conservation Areas), mangrove restoration, and coral restoration, exemplify the country’s commitment to building back better in the face of climate change,” he said.
 
Minister Samuda noted that while climate change poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and livelihoods, support through the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, the Climate Investment Fund, and the climate-resilience project called ‘CityAdapt’ has been cushioning the blow of climatic events.
 
“The CityAdapt in particular, is restoring 2 hectares of wetlands to reduce coastal erosion and flooding, along with 2.3 hectares of an urban park with 1,400 trees in Kingston. The project is being implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and financed by the Global Environment Facility through its Special Climate Change Fund,” Minister Samuda said.
 
Minister Samuda is leading the delegation at COP28, also known as the Investment COP, which runs from 30 November until 12 December 2023.

  

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