Swaby questions KSAMC's $151 million debt reportedly owed to the NWC

A preliminary probe at the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has revealed that $138 million of the $151 million reportedly owed by the corporation to the National Water Commission (NWC) is linked to a single facility owned by the local authority.

The disclosure was made by Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby, who told Tuesday’s sitting of the municipal corporation that this has raised antennas because, for more than five years, a private contractor was hired to truck water to the facility.

The information elicited strong responses and quips from mostly People’s National Party (PNP) councillors at the monthly sitting, where Swaby, whose tenure as chairman of the KSAMC began in February 2024, asserted that the debt did not start under his watch.

He said his administration inherited an outstanding balance but did not disclose what that balance was.

The mayor said since the claim was brought to his attention, following a media report, he directed CEO Robert Hill to establish a team to investigate the matter.

He said the team will engage the NWC directly to verify the accuracy of the figures and agree on a structured payment plan where debt is confirmed.

“Preliminary investigation into this matter revealed that $138 million of the [$151 million] is attributed to a property on Pechon Street operated by the KSAMC. The KSAMC has a private arrangement and has been trucking water to this facility for over five years,” said Swaby.

The total figure covers facilities operated by KSAMC.

He said it was curious that the matter of the debt “only came to light” because the municipal corporation raised concerns about the accuracy and transparency of water quality data provided by the NWC.

He said within his first 100 days in office on a “listening tour”, he engaged stakeholders, including the NWC, in “frank” discussions.

“At no time was any mention made of outstanding debt; not a word,” he said.

Swaby said the NWC has been asked to indicate for how long the $138 million has been on its books.

“Was that before five years, seven years ago? We want to know. We want to if there is any community out there where that water has been diverted to. I’m not making an accusation; I’m just looking at all the possibilities,” said Swaby in a follow-up interview with The Gleaner.

- Kimone Francis

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