The inability to produce land documents during the water connection process has been a sore point for homeowners for decades. Following a conversation with the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), Henry disclosed that the process would become easier.

“WASCO has agreed to look at the ease of allowing persons to have access to water, especially those living on family estates and cannot come up with the land papers. These persons, in the past, it has been a difficult thing for them to get a water connection. WASCO has agreed that with a simple affidavit, persons on the family estate will get water connections with a simple disclaimer,” the Equity Minister announced. The disclaimer from the land owner, he said, would verify that individuals are legally occupying the property.

Additionally, he said, WASCO has agreed to meet a quota of free water connections per year. “WASO has agreed to also provide 24 free connections for poor persons every year and they will meet part of the tariff. This was negotiated.”

The Minister also touched on the issue of disconnections for people unable to pay their bills. “When a young mother is unable to pay their bills, you need to ask yourself what heart do you have to disconnect a home where there’s a newborn baby? When there’s a senior person unable to pay their bill but you see the demand, the need, it is heartwrenching. Of course, this is something that as a current government we are looking into,” he lamented.

The Minister’s statement comes as members of parliament discussed the water scarcity and accessibility within their constituencies.