Farmers in Paraquita Bay can now breathe a sigh of relief since the vexing problem of lack of water, which has plagued them for years, is finally resolved. Photo: VINO/File

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, appeared as a guest on the radio show ‘Umoja’ with host Cromwell Smith aka ‘Edju En Ka’ on ZBVI 780 AM on May 3, 2021. Photo: Facebook

Farmers display their crops and produce at the Exhibition & Market Day held at Paraquita Bay today, May 1, 2021. Photo: Facebook

Not only has a water supply been restored but is now accessible around the clock, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has revealed.

‘24 hours of water’ for farmers

“I am pleased to say…the Water and Sewerage Department team was in Paraquita Bay just about a month straight and they did not stop until the farmers now have water.

“There is water in Paraquita Bay, 24 hours of water I might add,” Dr Wheatley said while a guest on the radio show ‘Umoja’ with host Cromwell Smith aka ‘Edju En Ka’ on ZBVI 780 AM on May 3, 2021.

Dr Wheatley was at the time talking about the success of the Farmers Exhibition & Market Day at Paraquita Bay on May 1, 2021, when he showered praises on the farmers for their participation despite the many challenges they have faced since the hurricanes of 2017, including COVID-19 and water shortage, which was amplified with the drought being experienced.

W&SD team went ‘above & beyond’

The Minister with the portfolio for Agriculture also thank Minister for Transportation, Works and Utiltities Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) and his team as well as Mr Brian Davis and his team from the Water and Sewerage Department (W&SD) for their efforts in fixing the water problem at Paraquita Bay.

“They went all the way up from Spring Ghut. They went up to Spring Gut, connected water, they walked through the little pathway there where it is very bushy…and brought water directly down to Paraquita Bay. And I just have to show so much appreciation to them and I would like to see them properly compensated,” Dr Wheatley said, adding that he knows they have done it out of a “labour of love” but they went above and beyond.

The Minister also hailed Mr Davis as “a brilliant guy..I am talking about intelligent and committed and it is really inspiring to see brothers like that and I think we need to give persons like that our highest praise to encourage them when they well.”

Production plan for Paraquita Bay next

It was at the Seventh Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday, April 15, 2021, while giving a statement on Farmers and Fishers Week 2021, Dr Wheatley had hailed the progress of the teams seeking to improve the water supply to the Paraquita Bay farms.

“For years our farmers have been crying out for adequate water supply, and I am very pleased with the progress being made to date. We are definitely now seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Once this water situation at Paraquita Bay has been rectified, Mr Speaker, our next step will be to develop our production plan for the area and to ensure that leases are signed for all farmers who occupy spaces there. I will be providing further details on this in the coming months, Mr Speaker.”