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Contact:
Prime Minister's Press Secretary
Monday, September 11, 2006 - Saint Lucia has accelerated progress towards
a major milestone for the millennium development goals with the Saint Lucia
Water Supply Infrastructure Improvement Project.
The over 26 million dollar water project will address a longstanding acute water
shortage problem in the north of the island.
Speaking at the ceremonial Sod Turning at the Theobalds Water Treatment Plant in
Ciceron Friday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Mr. Philip Dalsou
says there had been serious under investment in the water supply which is being
addressed by the project.
The project includes increasing the capacity to remove water from the John
Compton Dam in Rosseau from 6 million gallons to 10 million gallons as well as
upgrading and installation of distribution lines to improve the supply at the
intake plant at Hill 20 Babonneau.
Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony says he is elated that this project presents
the prospects for finally resolving the water problems in the north of the
country. Dr. Anthony says the provision of water supply to the north of the
island has not kept pace with expansion in the North and the Project will
address the issue.
Dr. Anthony says the present water problems plaguing St. Lucia is an inheritance
of mismanagement of the islands natural resources. He says the resulting effect
is that of an immense burden of collecting water and the added burden of
replacing inadequate infrastructure step by step over a phased programme.
The project attracts it’s greatest financing from the World Bank, funding Dr.
Anthony says was approved in a record five months the speediest by World Bank
standards. Dr. Anthony says it is a statement of the banks confidence in Saint
Lucia.
Dr. Anthony called for the managers of the project to ensure the project remains
on time and within budget.
The Saint Lucia Water Supply Infrastructure Improvement Project is taking place
at a time when Saint Lucia is preparing for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.
The project is jointly managed by the Project coordination Unit of the Ministry
of Finance, the Water and Sewerage Company WASCO, Halcrow Group Limited and the
contractors General Earth Movers Limited and General Earthmovers -UEM Inc.
Limited.
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