St. George’s, October 26, 2010 (GIS) – A joint project that has led to the delivery of pipe-borne water to the people of Clozier has been described as “yet another of the milestones’’ in the community’s march to “development and progress.’’

MP for St. John, Michael Church, has also called the “Clozier Water Intake, Transmission, Treatment & Distribution System Sub-Project’’ as a celebration of the people’s “great spirit’’ and of the “visioning of the possibilities’’ before them.

Hon. Church made the comments while delivering the featured address at the commissioning of the water scheme, which was sponsored by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) and the National Water and Sewage Authority (NAWASA).

For decades, a spring in the hillside village of Clozier was the source of water for other neighbouring communities such as Town of Gouyave. The people of Clozier, however, had to visit the spring to fetch their water.

The completion of the project now means that pipe-borne waster is being delivered to the homes of many Clozier residents for the first time ever.

BNTF and NAWASA officials were joined at the ceremony, held at the Clozier Community Centre, by dozens of villagers, including Valdon Boldeau.

He urged villagers to treat the pipes with “total respect’’ and to avoid vandalising them.

Mr. Boldeau said the new water system is for the benefit of the community.  “Use it for social and economic development,’’ he appealed.

Other words of compliment and encouragement were given by MP Peter David, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, MP Glynis Roberts.

MP Church, who is also Environment Minister, said the ushering in of the project is about “giving life’’ to one of the dreams of generations of Clozier residents.

“Today, we are gathered to bear witness to exactly one such dream that has manifested itself in reality,’’ he said.

“You, the people of Clozier, have indeed demonstrated that you have what was required to rejuvenate your community,’’ Hon. Church added.

“And so today’s celebration is a modest celebration of your great spirit and the visioning of the possibilities before us.’

The St. John MP said Clozier could be receiving another service benefit shortly.

“I have not forgotten our next project of ensuring that this community becomes a beneficiary of cable television services,’’ he said. “As we worked together to bring pipe-borne water to Clozier, similarly we are going to achieve this next dream.’’