New Roads finally gets water supply

Sheena Gayle, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

After years of experiencing an inconsistent supply of potable water, residents of New Roads, Westmoreland, are now heaping praise on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has played a pivotal role in the rehabilitation of the New Roads Water-Catchment Facility.

"We remain committed to improving the lives of Jamaicans, and our involvement in this community project is in line with our mandate at the USAID to be able to increase adaptation to climate change for residents," said Jeannette Vail, deputy mission director of the US Embassy, during last Friday's official handover ceremony at the New Roads SDA Church.

The New Roads Water-Catchment Facility was renovated through grant funding of over US$6,000 from the USAID through the Jamaica Rural Economy and Ecosystems Adapting to Climate Change project. Additional funding came courtesy of a US$5,000 donation from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) of Member of Parliament Luther Buchanan.

The USAID is working in partnership with the people and Government of Jamaica to support the country's Vision 2030 goal of making Jamaica "the place of choice to live, work, and do business. The USAID mandate includes a drive to increase peace and security by reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic prosperity and sustainable development, and investing in people and HIV/AIDS.

In underscoring the significance of the rehabilitation efforts, Buchanan urged the community to protect the facility, which serves over 2,000 residents.

"When the project was earmarked, we had to supply matching funds to the tune of US$5,000 through the CDF towards the project. The rehabilitation of this water-catchment facility will provide relief to residents who have had to deal with months of drought. Rural communities play an important role in Jamaica's economic development," said Buchanan at the handover ceremony, "therefore, we have to ensure their needs are met."

IMPORTANCE OF CONSISTENCY

Buchanan added that the same effort that went into rehabilitating the facility should be made by residents in utilising the much-needed service.

It should be interesting to note that the March 22 handover date of the New Roads water facility coincided with the 2013 celebration of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Water Day, whose theme was, "Water Cooperation".

World Water Day is an annual celebration that advocates for sustainable management of freshwater resources.