WATER YOU UP TO?
Water: the source of life and a source of opportunity for construction companies in Jamaica.
From the National Water Commission (NWC) to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), many are concerned about potable water and wastewater treatment in Jamaica, meaning many prospects for the private sector to play a more significant role.
The most recent opportunity was awarded to the French company, Vinci Construction Grands Projets (VCGP) for the transport, treatment, and disposal of sewage from Port Antonio to the Anchovy Waste Water Treatment Plant. Vinci will design, build, and operate the facilities to transport the sewage as well as update the facilities to treat and dispose the wastewater at the treatment plant.
The company's participation in this stage of the project was confirmed in April 2017; country manager of VCGP Timothee Delebarre and Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Dr. Horace Chang announced that the works will be implemented over the course of 16 months, increasing the anchovy plant's treatment capacity to 1,000cbm per day. Delebarre told TBY that the company hopes to commission the Port Antonio wastewater treatment plant by 3Q2018.
The project is part of the IDB-funded Kingston Metropolitan Area Water Supply Improvements Project, which plans to optimize water infrastructure performance, reduce non-revenue water levels, and strengthen NWC's capacities. NWC is the executing agency of the project and will oversee the USD7.55-million contract with VCGP.
With plans to become the number-one water services utility in the Caribbean and Latin America by 2020, NWC has other tenders in progress and is active within the Jamaica Water Supply Improvement Project (JWSIP), the largest potable water construction project in the history of the Caribbean, and has included the construction and refurbishment of treatment plants, storage facilities, and pumping and distribution pipelines. NWC's most recent tender is looking for a construction company to complete and commission the service of 2.5km of iron pipelines in Manchester, specifically the Mile Gully Distribution pipeline.
To understand the water priority in Jamaica, look no further than the IDB's portfolio of projects on the third-largest Caribbean island. Of the total USD383-million portfolio, over one-third (USD133 million) is earmarked for water and sanitation. In June 2017, IDB and the Ministry of Agriculture, as the executing agency, awarded a contract for a little over USD513,000 to Jamaica Drip Irrigation in Manchester, a division of Isratech Jamaica Ltd. Jamaica Drip Irrigation is building its own collection of irrigation and water conversation projects across the country and the region. In the region, water and sanitation projects make up eight out 35 IDB projects in the approval pipeline, tied with transport for most number of projects in a sector.
National and local governments as well as Jamaica's private sector also understand the importance of expanding Jamaica's supply of potable water and water-related infrastructure. In October 2017, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced new upgrades to water and sewerage pipelines in Denham Town, according to the Jamaica Information Service.
Moreover, the public sector is looking for collaboration with the private sector and vice versa. In an exclusive interview with TBY, Delebarre shared that VCGP is anticipating the construction of a new treatment plant in the form of a PPP in 2018. The company is looking for partnerships with ministries, NWC, and financial partners to address the need for additional treatment capacity.
Let us not forget potable water. VCGP is aiming to procure the first PPP agreement in the sub-sector. Delebarre emphasized, “VCGP has worked on the largest production centers on the island and the largest plants, yet there is still need for water… water demand is increasing every year because of population growth."
WATER YOU UP TO?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister, Jamaica
TBY talks to the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, on efforts to foster sustainable and inclusive growth, the main challenges ahead for the nation, and its key successes in improving the business environment.
read articleInterview
Diane Edwards, President, Trade & Investment Jamaica (JAMPRO)
TBY talks to Diane Edwards, President of Trade & Investment Jamaica (JAMPRO), on making investments throughout the whole value chain, becoming a regional distribution hub, and boosting niche agricultural output.
read articleInterview
Courtney O. Campbell, President & CEO, Victoria Mutual
TBY talks to Courtney O. Campbell, President & CEO of Victoria Mutual, on the origins of financial inclusion in Jamaica, helping people get a start on their property journey, and assisting young businesses to exploit a positive business environment.
read articleInterview
Raymond Walker, Founder, Chairman & CEO , Caribbean Assurance Brokers Ltd. (CAB)
TBY talks to Raymond Walker, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Caribbean Assurance Brokers Ltd. (CAB), on fighting for its clients, using environmentally sound methods to drive down costs, and continuously driving innovation.
read articleInterview
Emanuel DaRosa,, President & CEO, Jamaica Public Services (JPS)
TBY talks to Emanuel DaRosa, President & CEO of Jamaica Public Services (JPS), on pursuing common goals in the best possible way, utilizing Jamaica's most abundant natural resources, and satisfying half of Jamaica's energy needs through renewables.
read articleInterview
Winston Watson, Group General Manager, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ)
TBY talks to Winston Watson, Group General Manager of Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), on keeping a hand in both green and black energy, helping the government reach its 2030 Energy Vision targets, and educating people on the importance of conservation.
read articleFocus: LNG Investments
Light My Fire Jamaica
The Jamaican government is pushing private investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG) to provide cheaper and cleaner energy to households and businesses. Through partnerships with local and international companies, New Fortress Energy is leading the way to ignite this sector.
read articleInterview
Gordon Shirley, President & CEO, Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ)
TBY talks to Gordon Shirley, President & CEO of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), on the country's developing role as a logistics hub, attracting more cruise ships, and his outlook for the economy at large.
read articleInterview
Fritz Pinnock, President, Caribbean Maritime University
TBY talks to Fritz Pinnock, President of Caribbean Maritime University, on capitalizing on the rising power of the global south, customizing goods before they reach the final consumer, and leveraging Jamaica's geostrategic location to create added value.
read articleInterview
Winston Adams, JP, Executive Chairman, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC)
TBY talks to Winston Adams, JP, Executive Chairman of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), on the university's illustrious history, its upcoming strategies, and Caribbean Knowledge City.
read articleInterview
Michael Williams, Acting Executive Director , Mona School of Business and Management
TBY talks to Michael Williams, Acting Executive Director of Mona School of Business and Management, on maintaining quality across its programs, its achievements in the Caribbean, and the school's research-based approach.
read articleFocus: Downtown Kingston Revitalization
Drinking from the Fountain of Youth
Although the subject of much talk, downtown Kingston has been relatively neglected for many years while surrounding areas of the city attracted more real estate developments. A series of public and private investments indicate that the trend is finally reversing.
read articleInterview
Timothée F. Delebarre, Country Manager, VINCI Construction Grands Projets (VCGP)
TBY talks to Timothée F. Delebarre, Country Manager of VINCI Construction Grands Projets (VCGP), on diversifying their business lines, expanding Kingston's Port, and developing innovative financing mechanisms.
read articleInterview
Dittie Guise, General Manager, Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC)
TBY talks to the late Dittie Guise, General Manager of Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC), on marketing the convention center, creating an integrated tourist experience, and preparing for more events and visitors.
read articleFocus: Linking Tourism
Lifting All Boats in the Rising Tide
Although significantly contributing to the economy, tourism in Jamaica suffers from an inadequate level of linkage with other sectors. The government, in partnership with private actors, is launching a number of initiatives to ensure that international tourists meet local businesses.
read articleInterview
Natalie St. Louis, Founder, CEO & Managing Director, Strategic Konnections & Management Services Limited
TBY talks to Natalie St. Louis, Founder, CEO & Managing Director of Strategic Konnections & Management Services Limited, on working with businesses to further their goals, the importance of engaging with consultants, and goals for the coming year.
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