- Dennis CokeMinister of Water and Housing, Dr. Karl Blythe (right) signs a US$10 million loan agreement on behalf of the Jamaican Government with deputy representative of the Inter-American Development Bank, Sergio Varas Olea (left) on Thursday. Michael Barton, director of loan administration in the Ministry of Water and Housing assists them.
THE GOVERNMENT of Jamaica has signed a US$10 million loan agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to help fund the Rural Water Supply Programme.
In his address before the agreement was signed at the Island Life Centre Building, New Kingston on Thursday, Dr. Karl Blythe, Minister of Water and Housing, said that some 25,000 people would benefit from the loan which is expected to facilitate the development of 12 water supply systems over four years.
While noting the difficulties in attracting the total investment of over $60 billion (US$1.2 billion) needed to provide potable water and sewerage services to the entire population, he said his Ministry had been making steady progress.
"We have extended supply to over 400 new communities at a cost of well over $4 billion," said Dr. Blythe.
The construction of several water supply systems which have already been designed under the programme is expected to begin soon in White Horses/Pamfret, St. Thomas; Gravel Hill, Clarendon; Cotterwood, St. Elizabeth and Mile Gully, Manchester.
Sergio Varas Olea, deputy representative of the IDB, signed the agreement on behalf of the bank. They have been working with the Jamaican Government since 1999 to develop the water sector policy and the water resources strategy and action plan.
