WE THINK it is scandalous that the Ministry of Local Government owes the National Water Commission (NWC) over $90 million for water supplied at standpipes across the country.
It is even more scandalous that disconnection of these standpipes was instituted even with the knowledge of the "inconvenience and possible health implications to these persons who normally utilise the services and have no immediate alternative source of supply".
It is this latter concession to the deleterious effects of the cut-off why the NWC, in consultation with the Minister of Water and Housing, Donald Buchanan, has suspended the disconnections. Even so the NWC declares that the disconnection exercise will resume if no acceptable payment formula can be reached in discussions to be held next week.
Standpipes are obviously a more convenient way to secure water for those who have had to resort to the more rudimentary practice of going to a river, for example, or depending on a public water truck.
The NWC is right to complain about abuse of the standpipes and the wastage of water; and where upgrading of water supply systems facilitate household connections, this must be encouraged where it can be afforded.
Outside of the category of the more fortunate water users, there remain thousands who are still dependent on standpipes. It is cruel to make them pawns in the power plays of public agencies who
suffer from the delinquencies of other public agencies.
It is shameful that the Ministry of Local Government has allowed its indebtedness to reach such a level. It is unacceptable that the Permanent Secretary, as we reported yesterday, was unaware that so much money was owed.
This of course is not an isolated instance of public sector
delinquency in paying bills. But, it is the more painful when basic amenities, such as water, so essential to life, can be curtailed and so endanger the health of the poorest among us.
