The Government of Jamaica (GoJ), through the National Water Commission (NWC), is investing approximately $433 million into the replacement of the existing transmission main situated between the Norman Manley International Airport round-about and the NWC pumping station at the eastern entrance of Port Royal.
This project is expected to be completed by October 2023 and will provide potable water to approximately 2,000 people in the town of Port Royal. The Palisadoes Strip and Port Royal Shipping Port are also expected to benefit from this pipeline upgrade.
Noting that the installation of new water mains in Port Royal is going to improve the quality of life in Port Royal, the Prime Minister urged the residents to develop a mindset of taking advantage of the positive changes to come.
“Once you put in place water and road infrastructure, electricity and in today’s context sewage and internet, you are going to see residential, commercial and industrial development mushroom in an orderly way…housing is going to get better, the sewage is already improved, water is going to get better, drainage is going to get better, we have invested already in a new cruise ship pier and putting in facilities for cruise shipping. This community is set for prosperity,” the Prime Minister stated.
The scope of work includes the supply and installation of approximately 8.6 km of 300mm (12 inches) High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) ductile iron pipelines. The works are broken down into the supply of pipeline material at a cost of $221 million; installation of a 300mm transmission pipeline at a cost of $192 million; and contingencies at a cost of $20 million.
The use of HDPE pipes was a careful selection by the NWC to match pipe composition with the unique environmental factors to ensure that both the ecosystem and the NWC’s network are protected, as operations are completed.
“These pipes are joined together in a chemical and mechanical process that fuses the pipes, so you don’t have to worry about leaks. When you mechanically join the pipes together, after a time they contract, they expand, they contract, they expand and then they crack. Nothing like that will happen. You know when you use the metal pipes after a while the size of the pipes gets smaller because there is a build-up of sediment but worse than that, the pipes rot and when there is vibration, then they collapse. These pipes, there may be some build-up of sediment, but not much and they use technology now to clean the pipes quickly, but these pipes will not collapse,” the Prime Minister assured.
The works represent the third segment of upgrade works being undertaken by the NWC, with the initial works commencing in 2012 from Harbour View to the roundabout at the Norman Manley International Airport; and the second phase now underway at the facility situated near the Port Royal town centre.
With this project’s completion, the residents of Port Royal can expect improved service reliability; better-carrying capacity from the new pipelines; and extended run time of the pumping systems.
In giving the Vote of Thanks, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, noted that the Prime Minister has not only articulated a vision for the development of Port Royal but has demonstrated action and commitment in investing in the future of the area.
“Not just broadly, but for the people. For their residential status and for their prosperity, and for that Prime Minister, we thank you for the commitment and for the follow through in ensuring that this investment happens with this most recent investment in their water supply,” he noted.
Minister Samuda also thanked all the stakeholders on the project including the contractors Ashtrom Building Systems Ltd., the NWC, and representatives of the MEGJC.
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