Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
THE NATIONAL Water Commission (NWC) is owed nearly $1 billion in unpaid water bills as at June 2005.
Harry Douglas, State Minister in the Ministry of Water and Housing, told the House of Representatives on Wednesday that the water utility is owed $942 million. The Junior Minister made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate.
He said he was pleased that several Members of Parliament were making strides in having their constituents pay their water bills and called on others to do likewise.
PROJECTED INCREASE
Turning to the Rapid Response Unit, the state minister said it netted $142 million for financial year 2004/2005.
"This represents a 58 per cent increase in revenue in comparison with financial year 2003/2004," Mr. Douglas said.
He added that for the fiscal year 2005/2006, the Water and Housing Ministry is projecting to increase its revenue by 10 per cent, "and with improved maintenance, to have 70 operational units (water trucks) on a consistent basis to be better able to satisfy the demand for potable water."
Meanwhile, Mr. Douglas told the House that 140 water pumps and other equipment are to be delivered soon from India, to enhance the NWC's operational efficiency.
He said this was part of the commission's Systems Rehabilitation Programme to address what he said was the poor state of some of its infrastructure.
It is well-known that many of the NWC's mains and other facilities are very old," the minister said. "As a result, distributing water is often restricted and the pipes break frequently in some areas."
