Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, has announced that several existing sewage plants will be expanded, restored, or relocated, based on the level of environmental risks they pose.

Making his maiden contribution as a Member of Parliament to the 2025 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 27, Minister Samuda noted that work on the various sewage plants is planned to begin this year.

“We expect to expand and improve the capacity of the Soapberry Treatment Plant, doubling its capacity and moving it to tertiary treatment. The Member of Parliament for West Kingston will be happy when we get into the line plans for the improvements in West Kingston, which are 30 years overdue. We have also committed and have started the process to facilitate the relocation of not just the Negril Sewage Plant, but we intend to relocate the Harbour View Sewage Plant for the citizens of Harbour View, and we’re well advanced in the design process”, he announced.

The Minister added that commitments have also been given regarding the relocation of the Long Mountain Sewage Lines, adding that the Portmore Sewage Ponds and the Bogue Sewage Ponds in St. James would also receive attention.

“We’ve committed to the improvement, restoration, and significant increase in allocations to the maintenance of the Portmore Sewage Ponds. We are in the planning process to accelerate the movement of the Bogue Sewage Ponds, which should never have been there. That will take some more time, but we are advancing the planning”.

Minister Samuda explained that sewage is amongst the worst environmental issues that the nation faces, adding that the Government is taking the risk seriously and will make the necessary investments to remove the stated areas from the high-risk list.

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