‘Development comes with responsibility,’ declares Cuthbert-Flynn

DECLARING that development comes with responsibility, Member of Parliament (MP) for St Andrew West Rural, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn has urged Jamaicans to not only look to Government to provide services, but to take accountability for their actions. The three-term MP, who is minister of state in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, pointed to several areas where Jamaicans can demonstrate responsibility for their actions as she opened the 2026/27 State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. She said Jamaicans clamouring for piped water must demonstrate responsibility by becoming paying customers of the National Water Commission (NWC).

“Building pipelines, treating water, and maintaining the infrastructure that delivers water to our homes costs money. We cannot demand reliable water service and refuse to pay for it. We must understand that development comes with responsibility — and this is where the issue of mental emancipation comes in.

We must change the mindset that says Government must provide everything while citizens have no responsibility,” said Cuthbert-Flynn. She said her constituency has seen significant investment in water infrastructure over the 10 years since she was first elected as MP in 2016. “We have seen refurbished tanks and pipelines in Golden Hill; a 50,000-gallon tank in Mount James; new pipelines in Padmore, Top and Bottom Track roads,” Cuthbert-Flynn argued.

The state minister also pointed to the construction of a new water tank in King Weston, along with pipeline improvements on Cushnie Road and in Prospect Hall. She pointed to the Ferry to Rock Pond water project — valued at approximately $1.3 billion and which is expected to significantly improve the water supply for residents of Red Hills — and noted that as part of this investment two 50,000-gallon water tanks are being constructed to serve as lift stations. According to Cuthbert-Flynn, these facilities will significantly strengthen the water distribution system and are expected to benefit more than 26,000 residents in areas such as Belvedere, Sterling Castle and Rock Pond.

Addressing residents of Lawrence Tavern, who have faced decades of inadequate water supply, Cuthbert-Flynn pointed to the Essex Hall project which should commence by next April. “This is another important step in improving access to reliable water for our residents and ensur…