The government has initiated several measures aimed at helping to alleviate the water problems faced by residents in some sections of St. Elizabeth.

Parts of the parish are experiencing severe drought, impacting residents, especially farmers, coupled with recent bush fires.

As part of the response mechanism, local government minister Desmond McKenzie presented 10 black water tanks, to each of the 15 councillors in the St. Elizabeth municipal corporation.

The 500 gallon water tanks were handed over to the Chairman of the corporation Mayor of Black River Derrick Sangster, following yesterday’s council meeting.

The minister noted that St. Elizabeth will also receive a brand new water truck, and more water shops, with one being launched in Junction today.

In the meantime, Mr. McKenzie announced that government will be committing over one hundred million dollars towards a drought mitigation programme, and St. Elizabeth will be the first parish to get ten million dollars towards this project.