The Hermitage Dam in St Andrew grows drier as drought conditions persist.

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FAMILIES islandwide, and especially those in the Corporate Area, have for months now been plagued by worries over water as the rains refuse to come and the National Water Commission daily rations the essential natural resource.

Included among them is the nine-member Davis family of the

Airy Castle community in Stony Hill, St Andrew, whose members are nearing the end of their rope.

They, like so many others in the area, get water only for about five or so hours on some days, while the pressure is low and the commodity dirty.

"It is unbearable. But we just have to try and cope with the system," said Andrea Davis, who heads the family of nine, which includes her two children, her grandfather, a sister, a niece, a nephew, her uncle and a cousin.

She said that their predicament is made worse by the current economic realities.

"We can't afford to buy a tank so we have two drums, one that we use for water and one for clothes," the single mother, who is in her 40s, told Environment Watch.

Davis noted that while they may get water between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm in the days, the one drum that they have is not able to hold enough to supply the entire household until the next day. As a result, they have had to get creative with their use of water.

"If anybody bathe, they have to save the water to flush the toilet," she said. "To tell the truth, I am not afraid to beg and so I will beg my neighbours (for water) and send my daughter to beg too. I am not ashamed to beg."

This, Davies added, she does from neighbours who own water tanks.

"We have a river nearby, but because the rain is not falling the water is dirty and cannot really be used for much," the woman said. "I tell my daughter if she does not have enough water to bathe then she should just tidy up. What else can we do? The water situation is really very bad. Once it was bad, but it is worse now."

She said that another of her family's strategy is to catch water in the many soda bottles that they purchase daily.

"We are always buying sodas, so one of the things we do is to full the bottles and save them for drinking," she said.

Davis noted that piped water would at one time be available from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm. Now it is turned off by 4:00 pm -- sometimes even 2:00 pm -- and it is more than the family can take.

"You have to do all that you are doing from early before the water goes," said the frustrated woman, adding that it is hard for a household that size whose members are out to school or work for most of the day.

Her sister Marie added that even with the water shortage, the water bills keep coming and the amount is similar to the amount they usually received prior to the drought.

"I don't know what will happen and how we are going to manage," Marie said. "We just have to pray for rain. There is nothing else that we can do."

Other community members feel that their ongoing water troubles are to be blamed, at least in part, on the water trucks that go in, fill up from the hydrant, and then leave for other communities where they sell the water.

"The trucks come and load up and transport water to other areas," one elderly man said from his place under a dry tree trunk in the community.

"It is unfair that we do not have water here and it is being sold to outside people," complained the man who did not give his name.

Other community members concurred, adding that it was a practice that prevailed because they are unable to pay for water while people from other communities can.

"Is a money-making business they doing. They are not suppose to be selling water, but persons need it and they are willing to pay for it, so of course they will sell it. Both parties benefit. But what happen to those who can't pay? They have no choice but to do without," the elderly man said further.

"We can't afford to buy water; we can't even afford to buy tank," said Davis of her own family. "The water should be free. Right now Hermitage dam is pure sand, no water is there, so I don't know how we are going to cope. We just have to pray for rain."

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PM Thompson is quoted in the Barbados Advocate as saying: "...I am happy to announce that in deference to the expressed wishes and the anxieties of a wide cross section of Barbadians, that the organizers of the Vybz Kartel/Mavado show and the Youth Forum have agreed to the revamping of initiatives resulting in the cancellation of this weekend's activities."

Dancehall Deejay Vybz Kartel offers the following statement:

"It is very unfortunate that the government in Barbados would cancel a show with two of the most influential Dancehall artists, especially a show promoting peace and unity amongst school children who take the whole Gaza/Gully phenomenon out of proportion. But we have to respect the decision of the Prime Minister -- ultimately he has the well being of the nation at the center of his agenda. I am saddened that we could not perform for our anxious Barbadian fans who would have turned out in the thousands for this historic event."

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He will now leave the island later today, and stated: “I want to assure my European fans that I am looking forward to performing for them, and this incident was merely a minor setback“. He is booked to perform at venues in Switzerland, France, Germany and Holland, and will return to Jamaica in mid-April.

The stop order on travel is reportedly a new tactic being implemented by Jamaica’s Tax Administration Services Department (TASD), as they seek to get tax-delinquent persons to settle their outstanding taxes, or make suitable arrangements to do so within a given time. Stop order notices have reportedly been issued on 50 “high-profile” Jamaicans (including several artistes) who are said to be said to be tax delinquent.

Here are excerpts from the statement: “Romain Odden Anderson also known as Blak Ryno would like to inform the public that he will be moving on with his music career under the name “Ryno di Stinger”. He would also like to establish that his departure from the Portmore Empire was an act of his maturity and professionalism … He is stronger than ever as he has held himself to high musical standards which have and will continue to yield great results … This Syndicate brags the name “Garrison” as they are talented artist from prominent non-residential areas in Jamaica. They are musically competent and thus they strive to be successful.“

It’s ironic that two other Portmore Empire exiles – Lisa Hyper and Kym – also changed their names after similar controversial exits from the Gaza crew. Lisa Hyper was formerly known as Lisa Hype, and Kym was formerly known as Gaza Kim. Look out for a brand new single featuring Kym and Ryno Di Stinger – it will likely be released this weekend.

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