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The effects of the worsening dry spell are now posing a major threat to the hotel industry with at least one resort in the eastern section of the island facing possible closure due to the dwindling supply of water.
Chairman of the Port Antonio Chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, JHTA, Michael Gayle, says the situation facing some hotels in the region is dire. Mr. Gayle, who is also General Manager of Bay View Eco Resort in Portland, says properties are running out of options in sourcing supplies of the commodity. He says if there is no ease soon tough decisions will have to be made which might include closure.
And the ripple effects of the severe dry spell on the agricultural sector are likely to spread to the tourism industry. Immediate Past President of the JHTA, Evelyn Smith, says the members are bracing for an increase in operational expenses including the costs of agricutural products.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT INCREASED EXPENSES
The long-standing dry spell gripping the island, is taxing the budgets of constituencies and parish councils of millions of dollars.
Some Members of Parliament and Councillors have stated that huge chunks of their budgets which were set aside for other projects, are now being used to fund the purchase and delivery of water to communities.
In Clarendon, Head of the Parish Council, Scean Barnswell, states that several communities served by minor supply systems are without the commodity and trucking is the only way to solve the problem.
Estimates so far put the monthly bill at 12 million dollars. He explained that many of the private truck operators are owed outstanding sums and are incurring more costs as they transport the precious commodity to different communities.
Meanwhile, head of the Trelawny Parish Council, Garth Wilkinson, has stated that despite having good water sources, the cost of distributing the commodity is a major burden. He notes that 90 percent of South Trelawny is without water, and private contractors have to be used because of limitations facing the Council.
The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, KSAC, is taking steps to discourage party promoters from staging water parties amid the dry spell. Town Clerk, Robert Hill, explains that before being granted a place of amusement license, promoters must show that the water does not come from NWC resources Once this is satisfied, there's no legal authority to deny the permit even though there's a dry spell but he wants promoters to use their conscience.
Chairman of the Port Antonio Chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, JHTA, Michael Gayle, says the situation facing some hotels in the region is dire. Mr. Gayle, who is also General Manager of Bay View Eco Resort in Portland, says properties are running out of options in sourcing supplies of the commodity. He says if there is no ease soon tough decisions will have to be made which might include closure.
And the ripple effects of the severe dry spell on the agricultural sector are likely to spread to the tourism industry. Immediate Past President of the JHTA, Evelyn Smith, says the members are bracing for an increase in operational expenses including the costs of agricutural products.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT INCREASED EXPENSES
The long-standing dry spell gripping the island, is taxing the budgets of constituencies and parish councils of millions of dollars.
Some Members of Parliament and Councillors have stated that huge chunks of their budgets which were set aside for other projects, are now being used to fund the purchase and delivery of water to communities.
In Clarendon, Head of the Parish Council, Scean Barnswell, states that several communities served by minor supply systems are without the commodity and trucking is the only way to solve the problem.
Estimates so far put the monthly bill at 12 million dollars. He explained that many of the private truck operators are owed outstanding sums and are incurring more costs as they transport the precious commodity to different communities.
Meanwhile, head of the Trelawny Parish Council, Garth Wilkinson, has stated that despite having good water sources, the cost of distributing the commodity is a major burden. He notes that 90 percent of South Trelawny is without water, and private contractors have to be used because of limitations facing the Council.
The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, KSAC, is taking steps to discourage party promoters from staging water parties amid the dry spell. Town Clerk, Robert Hill, explains that before being granted a place of amusement license, promoters must show that the water does not come from NWC resources Once this is satisfied, there's no legal authority to deny the permit even though there's a dry spell but he wants promoters to use their conscience.