WATER AND Housing Minister Dr Horace Chang has announced a US$195-million water-expansion programme, which he said would reduce water lock-offs and shortages in places such as the Corporate Area.

Chang said the programme - the Jamaica Water Supply Improve-ment Project (Jamaica SIP) - represents "the single most significant undertaking in Jamaica's water-sector history".

Chang was making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate inside Gordon House Wednesday.

"There are many parts to this mega project but, most important, it will address the perennial water supply problems which, for decades, have plagued large sections of the Kingston Metropolitan Area," Chang said.

Jamaica SIP is to be implemented over the next two years with a further one-year maintenance period.

Under the project, the Rio Cobre pipeline will be replaced, a move the minister said would save 1.5 million to two million gallons of water per day.

He also said approximately 70,000 customer meters were to be installed in Ocho Rios, Kingston and St Andrew. According to Chang, the project will mean an additional 20 million gallons of potable water for the Kingston Metropolitan Area.

Chang also said Jamaica SIP would lead to an increase in the supply of potable water to rural areas and would help in the improvement of the inefficiencies and the financial viability of the National Water Commission.

High praises

The minister also lauded the efforts of his ministry so far, saying that since September 2007, when the current Government came to power, the Rural Water Supply Limited had completed 18 projects. He said the projects cost $2.2 billion and benefited 123,000 people.

According to Chang, a further 19 projects were being undertaken at a cost of $412 million, which would provide potable water to 44,000 more Jamaicans.

Chang told Parliament that access to potable water in rural areas would increase to 51 per cent when the projects were completed.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com