NWC debt write-offs coming for indebted pensioners

The National Water Commission (NWC) is to write off the debts of Jamaican pensioners with payments outstanding for more than two years.

Persons assessed to be in need will also benefit.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement at the Jamaica Labour Party's conference on Sunday.  

He said persons who have been disconnected for longer than six months, who go in and make payment arrangements, will get a 50 per cent or more discount on the debt based on needs assessment. He said they will get up to one year to pay.

"This is aimed at giving relief to those persons who are suffering with the weight of bills from major household leaks in the past," Holness said.

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This amnesty will last three months and will commence on January 2, 2025.

"We will go further, the NWC will assist pensioners who have had high water bills possibly due to leaks, and who take advantage of the amnesty, with leak detection services to detect and prevent a reoccurrence of the leak. The NWC will partner with HEART/NSTA to train leak detection personnel for this purpose," he added.