NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (September 13, 2013) — Though the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)-funded Water Supply and Enhancement Project at the Nevis Water Department had suffered some setbacks in its implementation, the project had been proceeding smoothly.
Junior Minister responsible for Communication and Works in the Nevis Island Administration Hon. Troy Liburd made the disclosure when he delivered a report at a sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly on September 11, 2013, on happenings in that Ministry under his watch since late January 2013.
“The Water Supply and Enhancement Project which is funded by the CDB has been proceeding smoothly. We have had one or two setbacks in the implementation of this project. These setbacks were due to some contractual negotiations with the CDB.
“We have issued contracts for the construction of the pump stations, the construction of the reservoirs and also for the purchase of the pipes and other fittings that would come on island for the commencement of this project,” he said.
According to the Junior Minister, civil works in all areas of the project will be carried out with the supervision of the Water Department and was anticipated to commence in January 2014. The running time for the project was initially estimated to be between 12 and 14 months.
Mr. Liburd pointed to the various segments of the project and named the offshore-based contractors who had won bids for the project.
“The tanks and reservoirs were contracted to FDL Consulting Ltd. out of St. Lucia. They will construct a number of tanks at Maddens Estate, Camps Estate, Spring Hill. We anticipate that this construction will commence in the first half of next year and will be completed by the first half of 2014.
“In terms of the pumping station, the contract for this was awarded to Jamaica Drip Irrigation. We anticipate that construction on these pumping stations will commence in January 2014. The materials and pipe contract was also awarded to Jamaica Drip Irrigation and all indications are that the materials will be on island by December of this year,” he said.
Meantime, the Minister also shed some light on the normal day-to-day operations at the Water Department. He explained that they had installed new pipelines in the areas of Stoney Grove, Upper Government Road, Braziers and Prospect.
Mr. Liburd also stated that a small study to look into the structure of the Department had been commissioned and spoke to the preliminary findings.
“We commissioned a little study to look into the structure of the Water Department. We have received some preliminary information on what needs to be done to have the Department be more streamlined. We are hopeful that by the end of this year, this report will be complete and we can chart the course for this Department for the future,” he said.
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