Gordon Robinson | No water commission

Over 50 years ago I experienced a seminal moment around Gene Autry’s domino table.

It was after midnight. We were behind. I told Gene I was too tired to continue. Since he’d no intention of paying the penalty associated with losing, he ignored my plea and shoved my head under a nearby pipe. Practically water-boarded long before it became Secret Services’ common practice, I woke up; returned to the table; and we won three consecutive sixes.

That night I learned nobody fixes your problems but you. But, if Autry tried that same wake up remedy today the pipe would most like emit nothing but loud groans. Water would be locked off.

Yet, exhibiting the timing of a COVID-19 infection and the empathy of Dracula, Jamaica’s No Water Commission (NWC), in the midst of the worst drought for a decade, approached O.U.R. for a 51% water rates’ increase.

FIFTY. ONE. PER. CENT? Really? Seriously?

Observer reported Matthew Samuda, Water Lockoffs Minister, explained: “[Jamaica] can no longer postpone major repairs to its water system.”

Ya think? Sometimes I wonder if a career in politics comes with side effects (like a drug). I can see the TJ advert now: Take our new improved parliamentary career. 300% salary increase guaranteed. [then speaking rapidly} Side effects include lack of vision, dyslexia and hallucinations. If you experience any of these side effects, don’t tell anybody. Press on regardless.

So, Samuda admits Governments postponed necessary major repairs for decades. Why are citizens, who intermittently receive NWC’s water but haven’t contributed to its mismanagement, NOW asked to pay IN ADVANCE to fund government’s promise to reverse its negligence, procrastination and perverse political prioritization over the years?

Why has Government persistently prioritized political objectives (i.e. vote buying) over urgent national needs like water infrastructure? There’ve been too many egregious examples, led by FINSAC, Operation Pride and, most recently, an ultra-expensive monument to political whimsy called NaRRA.

In my opinion, FINSAC and NaRRA were pyrsued for the same purpose – to buy votes and win the next election. FINSAC succeeded in 1997. When NaRRA contracts start flying like confetti contrary to standard procurement processes and consequentially flawed projects completed in time for votes thereby influenced to be cast expect the same in 2030.

Afterwards, belatedly, what’s done in the dark will come to the light.

For half a century, Governments have “run-wid-it” rather than invest in water infrastructure. Now, according to Observer, NWC Chairman Michael Shaw said NWC needs sufficient revenue to keep operating.

Ya don’t say?

What has NWC done about theft of water and equipment? Or leaking pipes? On October 4, NWC’s acting Vice-President, Operations, admitted 70% of treated water is lost to leaks or theft before reaching a billed customer.

SEVENTY. PER. CENT!!

This MUST be the Guy Lombardo Show! So the solution is citizens must pay 51% more and hope that doesn’t buy more of the same? Customers who pay have seen no plans, no budgets, nothing. Why should we expect our 51% increase won’t be flushed down the same leaky, t’iefing facility that previously gargled then swallowed our payments?

I understand the regulated/regulator game being played. NWC doesn’t want 51%. It expects less. So it asks for 51%; awaits the ballyhoo to die down; then accepts whatever it originally expected to get. Or more!

Not. This. Time!

If O.U.R. gives NWC one penny more I expect Jamaican citizens to take to the streets; organize a national strike; and demand NWC fix its problems before asking us for another cent. Despite NWC’s abysmal performance, NWC CEO was recently gifted a massive pay increase after “restructuring”.

EARN IT!

I support Ian Hayles’s analysis. NWC’s craven, careless, convenient claim that paying customers whose water NWC locks off daily should pay 51% extra for political puff and promises is offensive. Before we pay a penny more for water we aren’t getting and sewage systems that flood streets and homes with foul effluent, NWC/Government must:

put NWC’s house in order;

find a way to finance infrastructural improvements without putting their hand into our pockets;

implement strategies to eliminate internal/external theft;

present NWC’s audited accounts it still hasn’t submitted for four consecutive financial years (2021/22-2024/25).

The Old Ball and Chain complains daily about a 100% “sewage charge” added to her water bill. Our humble gated community was one of the first on a national sewage system. But, although located within allegedly exclusively residential “Golden Triangle” it’s been surrounded by huge commercial buildings all piggy-backing on our inadequate sewage system. The resultant discomfort to residents is unspeakable.

We’ve been forced to retire from entertaining non-family guests at home out of embarrassment at the overbearing stench accompanying Old BC’s cuisine. In 2023, Old BC asked Samuda, whom she encountered accidentally, to help ( Old BC has water in her mouth; Gleaner, May 27, 2025). He promised assistance. Nothing was done. Not another word has come from him.

Now we’re asked to pay more for more promises. Don’t! Demand service first!

Peace and Love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney at law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com