Dear Editor,
The recent announcement by the National Water Commission (NWC) to apply for a rate increase has elicited various responses from the public. I feel compelled to add a few words to this raging debate based on my experiences with this State agency.
I am still uncertain if the NWC has within its mandate a platform for development or production, as in many instances the commission has been guilty of inept management and non or slow responses to issues concerning water or the lack thereof.
In 2003, I made public, through the media, an issue affecting me which had escalated into a crisis and to which the NWC responded in writing.
However, 10 years later, this problem remains unresolved and, in fact, has deteriorated to a point where I have had to abandon my livestock farm due to the unavailability of a regular and consistent water supply and subsequent disconnection by the NWC.
In 2011, seeing my dreams of expanding my farm literally being dried up by the NWC, along with the inability of meeting the increased demands for my produce, I decided that I would now write the regional manager in Mandeville highlighting my plight.
While acknowledging that my complaints were legitimate, he offered a "very near future" solution which is yet to materialise. Please note this was February 2011. Also, note that by his own admission my farm is located only 2.1 km from the water treatment plant.
I have since ceased virtually all operations on the farm, as acquiring trucked water at $20,000 per load has proved to be both unsustainable and uneconomical.
The ineptitude of the NWC has spawned an industry of water truckers supplying water at exorbitant prices. To add insult to injury, in many instances this water is pilfered from the very NWC system which should be providing the commodity to its paying customers.
As I drove through the community of Lowe River in Trelawny over the Mothers' Day weekend, I stopped to observe pick-up trucks and community members obtaining water from a black tank located at the side of the road. (Black tanks now epitomise the failure of the NWC.) Lowe River and adjoining communities had been plagued for years by the absence of potable water until independent Councillor Paul Patmore came to their assistance.
With a few metres of pipes, water was harnessed from a treated spring to the community. While this may not be regarded as a major engineering feat, Mr Patmore and the community, without the resources of the NWC, have managed to provide a much-needed basic commodity. Perhaps Mr Patmore should be recommended to chair the board of the NWC.
While the NWC seeks to justify a rate increase on the basis of maintaining viability, there needs to be a fundamental mind change in the way this agency operates. The NWC needs to realise, and quickly, that it is a catalyst for growth and sustainable development and not only a water provider.
So, as my investment languishes, I now ponder my next move. I find comfort in the fact that I had not mortgaged my house or sought a loan from a financial institution to maintain my farm.
Our first 50 years of Independence have been a failure. If we choose to spend the next 50 years with State agencies exhibiting this level of service, the boats heading from Haiti to Jamaica may soon be travelling in reverse.
As to whether I believe the NWC should receive a rate increase? I leave you to judge.
Andrew Sinclair
Engineering Unit
North East Regional Health Authority
The NWC's ineptitude
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The recent announcement by the National Water Commission (NWC) to apply for a rate increase has elicited various responses from the public. I feel compelled to add a few words to this raging debate based on my experiences with this State agency.
I am still uncertain if the NWC has within its mandate a platform for development or production, as in many instances the commission has been guilty of inept management and non or slow responses to issues concerning water or the lack thereof.
In 2003, I made public, through the media, an issue affecting me which had escalated into a crisis and to which the NWC responded in writing.
However, 10 years later, this problem remains unresolved and, in fact, has deteriorated to a point where I have had to abandon my livestock farm due to the unavailability of a regular and consistent water supply and subsequent disconnection by the NWC.
In 2011, seeing my dreams of expanding my farm literally being dried up by the NWC, along with the inability of meeting the increased demands for my produce, I decided that I would now write the regional manager in Mandeville highlighting my plight.
While acknowledging that my complaints were legitimate, he offered a "very near future" solution which is yet to materialise. Please note this was February 2011. Also, note that by his own admission my farm is located only 2.1 km from the water treatment plant.
I have since ceased virtually all operations on the farm, as acquiring trucked water at $20,000 per load has proved to be both unsustainable and uneconomical.
The ineptitude of the NWC has spawned an industry of water truckers supplying water at exorbitant prices. To add insult to injury, in many instances this water is pilfered from the very NWC system which should be providing the commodity to its paying customers.
As I drove through the community of Lowe River in Trelawny over the Mothers' Day weekend, I stopped to observe pick-up trucks and community members obtaining water from a black tank located at the side of the road. (Black tanks now epitomise the failure of the NWC.) Lowe River and adjoining communities had been plagued for years by the absence of potable water until independent Councillor Paul Patmore came to their assistance.
With a few metres of pipes, water was harnessed from a treated spring to the community. While this may not be regarded as a major engineering feat, Mr Patmore and the community, without the resources of the NWC, have managed to provide a much-needed basic commodity. Perhaps Mr Patmore should be recommended to chair the board of the NWC.
While the NWC seeks to justify a rate increase on the basis of maintaining viability, there needs to be a fundamental mind change in the way this agency operates. The NWC needs to realise, and quickly, that it is a catalyst for growth and sustainable development and not only a water provider.
So, as my investment languishes, I now ponder my next move. I find comfort in the fact that I had not mortgaged my house or sought a loan from a financial institution to maintain my farm.
Our first 50 years of Independence have been a failure. If we choose to spend the next 50 years with State agencies exhibiting this level of service, the boats heading from Haiti to Jamaica may soon be travelling in reverse.
As to whether I believe the NWC should receive a rate increase? I leave you to judge.
Andrew Sinclair
Engineering Unit
North East Regional Health Authority
The NWC's ineptitude
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