New wells to be developed in North Windward

Two new wells will be developed in North Windward under the Volcano Eruption Emergency Project (VEEP), which is funded by World Bank.

Project Engineer Nerissa Fergus, who speaking at a consultation in North Windward on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, said, “together with our partners at CWSA we are tapping into ground water source providing you the residents of North Windward with a continuous clean water supply even during the events of natural disasters…”.

She said the project consists of the “drilling of two new wells in Overland and treating and pumping water through newly installed pipe lines up to several water tanks that will be constructed over the course of the project.”

Fergus further noted that the residents of North Windward have benefited significantly through the VEEP project.

“We have provided income support to over 4,000 households affected directly by the eruptions. Over 1,600 residents of North Windward were recipients. In addition to the income support, the Ministry of National Mobilization also provided life skills coaching to over 600 participants in this zone,” Fergus explained.

Fergus, was at the time addressing area residents at a consultation to outline plans for the construction of permanent bridges in Noel and Overland.

The VEEP project is also responsible for upgrading all Satellite Warehouses in the area to ensure that there is accurate and current information on activities at the Soufriere volcano.

As well, it provides support to St Vincent and the Grenadines in its emergency recovery and restoration of services areas affected by eruptions of La Soufriere Volcano.

The project was approved by the World Bank’s Board on November 30, 2021, and became effective on December 10, 2021, with an expected closing date of December 30, 2026.

The project is funded through the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) credit of US$ 40 million and co-financed with an EU grant of US$ 2 million.(API)