NWC in discussions to sell a portion of its $26 billion customer debt

President of the National Water Commission (NWC) Mark Barnett today disclosed that the state-owned utility company is in discussions with private companies on selling a portion of its customer debt.

Noting that customers have racked up $26 billion in arrears to the NWC, Barnett said that several entities have expressed an interest in purchasing the outstanding receivables.

According to him, a significant part of the debt is owed for more than 365 days.

“We are not only saying it to the public, we are pursuing it. We recognise that there are legal issues that have to be worked out, but rest assured, this management is serious in getting at those receivables,” said Barnett.

He was speaking today at a press conference in New Kingston to provide an update on the company’s Kingston and St. Andrew Non-Revenue Water Co-management programme.

“We are going to try various strategies to collect the funds because a utility cannot survive without a constant stream of revenues,” the NWC head said.

He said the company faces its biggest challenge in collecting revenue for water from persons living in inner-city communities.

A strident Barnett said the NWC would be very aggressive and relentless in ensuring that it improves the service to communities, “but coming with that investment for improved service consumers those communities must start to pay”.

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