SPALDINGS, Clarendon:
THE DRY spell being experienced across the island, especially in the parishes of Clarendon, Westmoreland and St. James, has forced Government to allocate some $19 million to upgrade the Rapid Response Unit.
Donald Buchanan, Minister of Water and Housing, told The Gleaner that the three named parishes were currently experiencing a serious drought and in an effort to assist residents in acquiring water the money had to be allocated.
Mr. Buchanan stated that the Ministry of Water and Housing, through the Rapid Response Unit, is to spend the money on re-tooling the Rapid Response fleet so that all 96 units can be operational.
He said over 700 tyres were being purchased for the units and that all trucks and trailers were to be fully serviced.
Meanwhile, the Water and Housing Minister said arrangements with the European Union for improvements in water supply in the areas served by Christiana-Spaldings in Manchester are moving ahead.
It is understood that some $200 million has been put up by the European Union for improvements in the water supply in that area served by the National Water Commission but it is not clear as to when the improvement project would begin.
In the months leading up to the 2002 general election, former Member of Parliament (MP) Clifton Stone of Clarendon North West and Audley Shaw, MP for Manchester North East, accused the Patterson administration of sabotaging the project.
Stone stated then that the Government had failed to give the project the go-ahead although a plan had been drawn for the construction of a dam at Alston in North West Clarendon.
Both men claimed that the project was not yet off the ground, because the dam is to be constructed in an area where the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has been well supported over the years.
Both Shaw and Stone are still insisting that the project they proposed be undertaken with urgency so that the plight being experienced by the thousands of residents can be eased.
- George Henry
