NWC revenue plunges

The National Water Commission (NWC) says it has suffered a $3-billion loss in revenue following the passage of Hurricane Melissa and another $3.7 billion in estimated damage to infrastructure.

Acting Vice-President of the NWC, Herman Fagan, told members of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) yesterday that service has been restored to 95 per cent of the commission’s customers.

He gave the assurance that by the end of March, all customers impacted by Hurricane Melissa should receive water.

Commenting on the revenue loss, Fagan said some of the NWC’s largest customers, such as hoteliers, have been significantly impacted and as such, revenue flows have plunged.

Highlighting major infrastructure damage, especially in western Jamaica, the senior NWC official said the state body had made significant progress to date, based on the severe impact of the storm last October.

The NWC boss told committee members that up to this point, the company has received a drawdown from insurance proceeds in the sum of US$2.5 million (J$390 million) for hurricane damage.

He said the NWC has made a submission to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service for a grant to support its operations owing to the significant revenue shortfall.

Quizzed about the NWC’s water quality in recent times, Fagan said tests have been done on a daily basis and the regulator has not had any adverse findings.

“I am not aware of any system that the quality is not what it ought to be,” Fagan insisted, noting that if for any reason the quality is not up to standard, the NWC would shut down that facility.

While the Ministry of Health and Wellness monitors NWC’s water quality, Fagan said the Office of Utilities Regulation has asked that water-testing results be presented to them for the agency to carry out its own independent checks.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com