Opposition Leader Julian Fraser believes there should be no excuses as to why the territory continues to suffer water woes, considering the availability of some $2 million which has been sitting in an approved fund for the Water Network Improvement Plan since 2018.
Fraser made the statement in a recent session of the House of Assembly, in response to an answer which was provided by the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley on the subject matter.
Fraser asked the premier to disclose information relating to the $3.5 million which was approved by the National Democratic Party in 2018 for the Water Network Improvement Plan.
Premier Wheatley responded by disclosing that the Ministry of Communication and Works has access to those funds.
The premier also revealed that since 2018 only $1,477,462.99 of the $3.5 million has been expended from the fund.
The premier’s answer prompted Fraser to state that with such monies available as suggested by the documents, there should be no excuses as to why communities such as his Third District continue to suffer from disruptive water services on a daily basis.
Fraser then asked the premier to verify whether the $2 million was indeed available to the Ministry of Communication and Works to date.
Premier Wheatley said he will investigate the matter and communicate with the minister responsible, so the minister would provide a further update on the availability and accessibility of those funds.