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Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 22, 2016 (SKNIS): The importance of freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater resources is the focus of activities to celebrate World Water Day 2016. One such activity as outlined by the Honourable Ian Patches Liburd, Minister of Public Infrastructure, is the engagement of the staff of the Water Services Department with communities.

 

“The staff of the department will be engaging the communities by visiting both primary and secondary schools, and appearing on local radio and television shows to discuss the importance of water in our daily lives,” he said, while noting that the department will discuss the shared responsibility in protecting and managing water as a precious resource.

 

An Open Day is planned for Friday, April 01, at The Circus in Basseterre, and a round table discussion will be held on ZIZ Television on Thursday, April 07, on the topic ‘Building Resilience to Climate Change in the Water Sector’. Staff from the Water Services Department, accompanied by personnel from other ministries, will work in partnership as they engage in an island wide ‘Water-Cade’ on Friday, April 08.

 

Minister Liburd noted that the “objective of this Water-Cade is to highlight and promote the sustainable use of our water resources,” and noted that a thirty (30) minute stop-over will be made in several communities. On Saturday, April 16, the Water Services Department will be offering a guided hike to the Wingfield Water Source, starting from the Wingfield Estate Yard. The hike culminates with a tree planting exercise within the Wingfield Watershed.

 

An important activity took place today on World Water Day, with the handing over of a fleet of six (6) vehicles to the Water Services Department. One of the vehicles was donated by the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, while the other five were purchased by the local Government.

 

“These vehicles will replace the derelict fleet that for many years negatively impacted staff response times and presented occupational health and safety risks for our workers,” said Minister Liburd. “My Ministry is therefore proud that it has fulfilled this commitment to improve the conditions under which the Water Service Department’s employees are now transported to their various work sites.”

 

Minister Liburd used the opportunity to encourage the general public to participate in the month long activities and to support the staff of the Water Services Department in its endeavour to serve the public, as safe, sufficient, and reliable water resources are essential to the functioning of every aspect and sector of society.