More than 30,000 to benefit from NWC debt forgiveness

More than 30,000 National Water Commission (NWC) customers are expected to benefit from the Government's debt forgiveness on water bills. 

Speaking at Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing, Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Water, Matthew Samuda, said this was a preliminary estimate which he expects to increase. 

“It (debt forgiveness) will return comfort and dignity to our pensioners and those living below the poverty line who have been affected by this debt and disconnected from the National Water Commission. It will reduce the need for purchase of expensive trucked water to those affected, thereby reducing the cost of living to those who are affected who access water from trucking sources,” he stated. 

Samuda said the NWC will be working closely with the Registrar General's Department and the National Land Agency to ensure that those who qualify are verified. 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, speaking at the Jamaica Labour Party's 81st annual conference on Sunday, announced that the NWC will write off the debts of Jamaican pensioners with payments outstanding for two years or more.

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Persons assessed to be in need based on the PATH beneficiary identification standards should also benefit.

Additionally, 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 a needs assessment.

Holness said they would get up to one year to pay.

This amnesty is to last for three months, beginning on January 2, 2025.

The NWC will also collaborate with the HEART/NSTA Trust to have trained leak detection specialists visit the homes of pensioners who were disconnected due to leaks, offering this service at no cost to them.

Samuda noted that delinquent NWC accounts in excess of six months' amount to $58 billion, debts of more than two years tally $45 billion, and those in excess of five years total $50 billion. 

“The potential write down of 50 per cent between the six months and two year gap is $6.5 billion, so persons have the ability to get $6.5 billion of benefit from the government.”

Further, he noted that more than 40 per cent of the value per debt is usually lost in reclaiming due to legal and other costs. 

“So regardless of the $58 billion you have a problem where 40 per cent would go into the cost,” he said. 

Stating that water debts have been a burden to a lot of Jamaicans, he said the Government's amnesty programme is a continuation of NWC's receivables management plan already in operation in Portmore, St Catherine. 

“What this presents to the NWC is a national wholesale at having the conversation with Jamaicans that you can come in, we do care, we do think its critically important for you to be connected to the National Water Commission formally, and we will offer relief,” he said. 

- Sashana Small