Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Minister highlights importance of water in region
#Montego Bay, October 12, 2018 – Jamaica – Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Water, Housing and Infrastructure, Hon. Karl Samuda, says water plays a pivotal role in the development of the region’s agricultural 
sector.
Speaking at the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) 27th Annual Conference press briefing, which was held at the Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort and Spa in St. James on Wednesday (October 10), the Minister said that water used in agricultural activities across the Caribbean will assist in strategic economic growth and job creation.
“We want to emphasize the significant role that water plays in the development of our agricultural sector. With proper use, it will enable us to engage in smart agricultural strategies that utilize small amounts of water for maximum output. That way, we can grow our respective economies and create more job opportunities for everyone involved,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Samuda said the CWWA conference was successful in assisting with the establishment of regional strategic action plans for governance and building climate resilience in the Caribbean, through deliberations with other Water Ministers in the region.
“Several very important decisions and recommendations were also made,” the Minister informed the journalists.
The CWWA Conference, which explored climate resilience, innovation and partnership for sustainable water, ends on Friday (October 12).
Release: JIS
Contact: Serena Grant
Photo Caption: Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Water, Housing and Infrastructure, Hon. Karl Samuda (second right), addresses journalists at the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) 27th Annual Conference press briefing, which was held at the Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort and Spa in St. James on Wednesday (October 10). With the Minister are (from left) Senior Water and Sanitation Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank in Trinidad and Tobago, Evan Cayetano; Division Chief, Economic Infrastructure Division at the Caribbean Development Bank in Barbados, L. O’Reilly Lewis; and Executive Chairman at the Water and Sewerage Corporation in The Bahamas, Adrian Gibson.
Photo Credit: Serena Grant
KINGSTON, April 29 (JIS):
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the outcome of discussions arising from the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) will assist in guiding the Government’s planning for climate change.
This, he points out, is important for climate mitigation as well as building Jamaica’s resilience.
“We look forward to the discussions that will, no doubt, take place. We look forward to the basis of planning for the Government to streamline its investments to ensure you have the tools that you need to better advise us, that the WRA (Water Resources Authority) has the tools to digitise its monitoring network, and that all of the agencies that touch our planning mechanisms have the tools. But we need to know what we are facing, and we’re guided by your expertise,” Minister Samuda said.
He was addressing the opening ceremony for the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in New Kingston on Monday (April 29).
Senator Samuda said given the fact that the climate has changed and continues to do so, investments in and collaborations on building Jamaica’s predictive and scientific capacity must be prioritised.
“Ultimately, we need to be able to assess our current climatic realities if we are to better plan, if we’re to insist and ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs that we need it to. I’m very happy that this event is happening… because this is a critical issue.
“Jamaica, last year, faced its worst and most severe drought… and this year, we’re already seeing the impacts of not quite as severe a drought but, certainly, a drought with severe impacts, especially in the western part of the country,” he said.
Principal Director, Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, explained that the forum aims to, among other things, establish a collaboration platform for climate services providers and users to understand risks and opportunities of past, present and future climate developments, as well as improve inter-agency coordination of policies, plans and programmes.
Among the other presenters were Ambassador, European Union to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen; Chief Scientist/Climatologist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Adrian Trotman; and Head, Regional Climate Prediction Services, World Meteorological Organization, Wilfran Moufouma-Okia.
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica hosted the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) in partnership with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the World Meteorological Organization.
The National Stakeholder Consultation is a governance mechanism that guides how different sectors or actors work together to create products that contribute to adaptation and resilience-building. It seeks to create a road map for the development and implementation of climate services to inform decision-making.
NCF-1 aims to bridge the gap between climate providers and users. It increases the use of science-based information in decision-making and operations with the aim of generating and delivering co-produced and co-designed products and services.
CONTACT: CHRIS PATTERSON
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