CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – IN wake of the current drought being experienced, the people of Nevis will soon be in a better position in access to water than most of their brothers and sisters in many other countries in the Caribbean region.
This information was made public yesterday (Mar. 16) by Nevis Premier Hon. Joseph Parry during his inaugural “In touch with the Premier” radio and television programme.
“The government anticipated about two years ago that we can have this problem, and so we were able to employ a group of persons – an engineering firm by the name of BEAD – and they were able to search for water on the island of Nevis. In the Buckleys area, in the Hamilton area, in the Fothergills area, and they have been able to tap into our underground supply, which has never been tapped in before. Some people even claim that the water has been there for millions of years. We have been able to tap in to this water and this is the supply that is available at this particular time,” Parry said.
Prior to his announcement of the underground water supply, Premier Parry declared that the Caribbean Development Bank had approved a water project for the island.
“Just a few days ago, the Caribbean Development Bank approved a water project for Nevis. This water project relates to changing all those old pipes, some of them 80 years old, making sure that people get a good supply of water. The reservoirs are available to assist people in the Braziers area, people in the Cole Hill area that is in Fountain, and wherever we have these problems.”
Parry also said the current drought is the worst the people of Nevis have experienced since the early 1970s, but was quick to note that his administration is ably combating the situation.
The Premier declared that the Ministry of Communication and Works is currently working on a pipeline that would stretch from the Fothergills to the Stoney Hill areas.
He explained that the areas would be fitted with some 2 000 feet of new eight-inch pipelines and “when that is done an additional 200 000 gallons of water will be immediately made available to the people of Nevis”.
In recent months, many countries in the Caribbean region have been experiencing a shortage of water supply due a sustained dry spell. Even in Guyana in the south, where that country is known as “Land of many waters”, farmers declared that they would suffer heavy losses and are praying for the coming of the rainy season.
In his explanation for establishing the radio and television programme – “In touch with the Premier” - Parry said it is to provide information about the work the government is doing “to ensure our people continue to be represented, and also to make sure that we not only deliver services but that the people realise that the services are being delivered”.
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