KSAMC not being politically attacked, says Samuda

 

Minister with responsibility for Water, Matthew Samuda, has dismissed an assertion by Chairman of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, Andrew Swaby, that the council is coming under a political attack since it raised concerns about the water quality in the Corporate Area. 

 

It has been reported that the KSAMC has an outstanding balance of $151 million to the National Water Commission, the majority of which Mayor Swaby says was accumulated during the previous administration. 

 

But Mr. Samuda has criticised the mayor for appearing to pass on blame.

 

"The first point that the public should understand that the two issues are not linked. There are two major issues but they are not linked. What is owed by the council? It is not a debate.... The Water Commission is owed substantial sums by the municipality. And it is owed more than has been reported in the press because if you include the value of standpipes to which the council is responsible for paying for, it would be way above $200 million. Now, this situation is not unique to this council. It is unique for this council to be questioning its debt," Mr. Samuda asserted.