Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie - file photo
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Desmond McKenzie
The Ministry of Local Government is to allocate $30 million to five parishes which are experiencing drought conditions.
These are Portland, St. Elizabeth, Clarendon, St. Catherine and St. Mary.
Speaking at Wednesday morning's post-Cabinet media briefing, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, said the money will be allocated to municipal corporations for the trucking of water to affected communities.
He noted that if the situation does not improve with the initial allocation, "the government is prepared to spend whatever we can to ensure that adequate water is provided."
He said special focus will also be placed on Manchester and St. Elizabeth since these are two of the parishes from which a significant portion of Jamaica's food supply comes.
Mr. McKenzie added that the ministry has been constructing water shops in parishes where there is a chronic shortage of water.
The government is also to provide $50 million to finance an islandwide mitigation programme in areas that are prone to flooding.
The Local Government Minister announced that additional strategies will be implemented as the hurricane season progresses.
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