Gareth Davis, Gleaner WriterPortland: AN $8.7 million contract for the construction of a new water supply system for residents of Bellevue, Portland, was signed Wednesday by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).
The Bellevue water supply system was disrupted during the passage of Hurricane Gilbert, in 1988, leaving residents without access to piped water for more than 16 years.
This has caused a number of difficulties for the citizens, who have to travel long distances to bathe and collect water. They are also forced to use untreated water which often times results in health-related problems.
"The JSIF is well aware that the role of water in national development cannot be underestimated," said Grace-Ann Miller, human resource manager at the JSIF. "Unfortunately, Bellevue is among the communities that have been under-served in this regard. Given the grave difficulties being faced by citizens of Bellevue, we at JSIF are particularly pleased to be a part of this project as it will bring much needed relief to this community."
Ms. Miller noted that the project will be financed under the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) which is funded by a $6 million euro grant from the European Union to the Government of Jamaica.
To date, JSIF has spent more than $126 million on various initiatives aimed at improving citizens access to water.
The PRP is not simply about providing money for projects, it also aims to empower communities to play an integral role in project implementation," Ms. Miller added.
Work on the project is scheduled to last four months. This will see the implementation of a domestic water supply system to provide the Bellevue and Brownsfield communities with a potable supply, using resources from Lime Springs, about 2.3 kilometres south of the community.
