Another year; another drought!
Another summer another set of water restrictions and lock-offs despite 18-24 inches (in extreme amounts up to 40 inches) of rainwater delivered by Hurricane Melissa last October/November of which not an ounce was captured and preserved for future use. No significant reservoirs have been built in North-Western or North-Eastern Jamaica where, historically, most heavy rain events occur most frequently.
Hermitage Dam was built from 1924-1927. In 1924 Jamaica’s population was 900,000. Mona Reservoir construction began in 1940 and was fully commissioned (after leakage problems addressed) in 1959. In 1940 Jamaica’s population was 1.18 million.
We’ve been independent for sixty-four years. Jamaica’s population has trebled. Not one single “independent” Government has considered prioritizing a single major reservoir construction outside Kingston and St Andrew. Instead, we’ve constructed expensive white elephants like Trelawny Multi-Sports Complex costing US$30 million; bailed out failed financial institutions (a.k.a. FINSAC) at a cost of 42% of GDP; Operation Pride; erosion plagued Junction Road expansion costing $1.2 billion; foreign-owned toll regulated highways while domestic roads became minefields more dangerous than the Strait of Hormuz.
And don’t get me started on Cornwall Regional Hospital “refurbishing” still incomplete after a decade and $9 billion.
I could go on and on
the full has never been told
Every farmer knows drought is a growing problem. Every gardener knows it’s a leaf-long problem (ouch). In Toronto they call it “Canada Dry”!
Sorry about that – can’t help myself!
But Jamaican politicians only seem to consider drought as an opportunity to impose water restrictions and interminable, indeterminate lock-offs while trucking water to residents at exorbitant cost and inordinate inconvenience. Yet, somehow, vehicles in which they travel are always shiny and, personally, they always smell clean and fresh.
In my opinion Beenie Man and Buju Banton are Dancehall era’s most talented performers but, in the social commentary realm, Buju is in a class by himself. His Untold Story (1995) is a masterpiece.
I’m a living while I’m living
to the father I will pray.
Only him know how
we get t’ru every day.
All di ’ike in di price
arm and leg we ’affi pay
while our leaders play
Yet again, we’ve been treated like simpering idiots and fed a slew of promises. May 27, 2025, Matthew Samuda, during sectoral debate:
“The National Water Commission will undertake a comprehensive review of options for expanding Mona Reservoir and Hermitage Dam, which are the two major storage infrastructure that serve Kingston Metropolitan Area.”
So, after 63 years, we arrived at the juncture in our national journey where we can undertake “comprehensive review of options”. Surely you jest? Do you take us for coonoomoonoos? After 63 years, you’ve no clue of your options? C’mon man!
Continuing, he said “As it relates to Hermitage Dam, we’ll be examining the possibility of increasing [its] storage capacity by either raising the [dam’s] crest level or constructing an entirely new additional reservoir to capitalise on the overflows from the existing dam, which often occur.”
Jesus H. Christ on a Japanese crutch! “examining the possibility”? Really? Seriously? When did you plan to actually DO SOMETHING?
“Colleagues will recall that last year NWC undertook a full engineering assessment of the Hermitage Dam at a cost of $150 million and did find some weaknesses in the structure.”
Well, whoop-di-do! $150 million more spent. Still. No. More. Water!
In March 2026, celebrating World Water Day, Samuda was again in full promise mode. According to RJR, he promised to strengthen Jamaica’s water supply system through major infrastructure upgrades.
Haven’t I heard THAT before?
Samuda announced key projects including upgrading Hermitage Dam (“engineering assessment” done?), where a new wall should double storage capacity, and expanding Mona Reservoir (options finally identified?) which could increase capacity by up to 70%.
I suppose it could. Meanwhile high-rise apartments springing up everywhere; commercial construction crowding residential areas everywhere; not a drop more water; no upgraded sewage systems! Promises, promises everywhere!
On July 29, Samuda toured a US$92 million public-private sector Rio Cobre Water Treatment Plant construction site that he promised would deliver 15 million gallons/day to KSA/Spanish Town/Portmore in May 2027.
What’s real? On July 30, 2026, Samuda told a press conference: “We’re first encouraging conservation but being very clear that, as at August 10, if the Met Service’s evaluation of [July’s] rainfall is as we suspect….prohibition orders will come into effect.”
He explained water prohibition orders would ban irrigation; watering of gardens, lawns, grounds and farms; filling of domestic pools; washing cars and roadways; and any non-essential water use.
On July 31, Samuda was nowhere near an NWC announcement of water restrictions for areas served by Mona Dam effective August 3. On August 10, the Ministry, through NWC, imposed water prohibition orders on seven parishes effective on Marcus Garvey’s birthday.
On Friday, JIS quoted Samuda on water restrictions “We’re the land of wood and water…not the land of Utopia.”
Now we know what promises are worth.
Peace and Love.
Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com
