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NEWS BRIEFS

Published:Wednesday | May 22, 2019 | 12:00 AM

NWC issues prohibition order against water wasting

 

With the worsening drought severely impacting sections of the country, the National Water Commission (NWC) has issued a Prohibition Notice, effective May 24, making it an offence to waste water or use excessive amounts of the precious commodity for non-essential purposes.

 

According to the NWC, more stringent water conservation measures must now be observed and the limited potable water that is available should be reserved for essential uses such as drinking, cooking, washing, bathing and sanitation.

 

Among the offences that are to be punishable by a fine imposed by the parish courts after conviction or, for failing to pay the fine, imprisonment for up to thirty days are:

 

· Watering of gardens, lawns, grounds and farms;

 

· Refilling of tanks, ponds, or swimming pools and/or for use other than normal domestic services;

 

· Washing of vehicles by the use of a hose;

 

· Watering or washing roadways, pavements, paths, garages;

 

· Any purpose which may require the use of a considerable or excessive quantity of water.

 

The Prohibition Order applies to water supplied by the NWC in drought affected areas. The Order also applies to persons who cause or give permission to others to break the law.

 

Shaw calls for increased productivity

 

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Audley Shaw has called for an increase in Jamaica’s productivity index so that the country’s economy can remain on a growth path. He noted that productivity should be confronted in a more direct and focused way.

 

Speaking at the opening of an Organization Development Transformation Conference yesterday at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston, Shaw emphasised that as employment increases, production must keep pace with that growth, so that citizens can access improved services.

 

“Even though we have seen an increase in the country’s employment rate, we must now focus on incremental increases in worker productivity,” Shaw told the audience, adding that training of workers must also be an ongoing process.