The Editor, Sir:

I have been a resident of Perkins Estate, a community at the foot of Red Hills, St Andrew, for the past four years. I can safely say that 40 per cent of the time, the complex is without water. This is evident in the fact that we have 83 units in the complex - and every single one has a water tank on its roof.

Now, while I understand that Tropical Storm Gustav placed the island in an arduous position, the people of Perkins Estate and its environs have been without a single drop of water since Saturday, August 30.

Water for sale

I have called the so-called 'emergency call centre' of the National water Commission (NWC) and have been given various 'explanations' for the lack of water. It has been three days (at time of writing) and I have yet to be told when the NWC will be trucking water to assist its customers who need this vital commodity.

My sigh of relief on seeing a water truck entering the complex on Monday quickly turned to despair when I was informed that the water was for sale. I further enquired where the truckers got their water only to be told that they purchased it from the NWC! This fact was, indeed, confirmed by the NWC's call centre, whose personnel indicated that this was an option I could pursue.

Paying twice for inadequacy

Now, I wish to ask the NWC a question on behalf of all those suffering a similar plight; Instead of selling water to those who would take advantage of people's desperation, why not contract those same private persons to provide water to all your paying customers when you fall short? Is it really fair that your customers should be paying twice for your inadequacy?

I suggest that the NWC revisit its mandate and customer charter and appraise itself of its obligations to it customers, as holding the country at ransom with its prevailing inadequacies and incompetence is completely unacceptable.

It is for this reason that I gladly add my voice to the many Jamaicans who are at the mercy of this the Nation's Worst Company:

I am, etc.,

HELEN PITTERSON

solutions_1@yahoo.com

Kingston