The National Irrigation Commission Limited (NIC) has entered into a partnership with the Ebony Park HEART Academy to provide water and other irrigation services to the institution.
Chairman of the NIC, Senator Aubyn Hill, recently toured the Toll Gate, Clarendon facility to see the agricultural work being done. Following the tour, Hill said that the NIC recognises the importance of preparing youth for the future in a practical and meaningful way and believes that by participating in their development it is contributing to Jamaica’s growth and development. Hill highlighted the contributions the NIC is making to education and agriculture in Clarendon.
“There are several pillars to this contribution: agriculture, tourism and crime reduction. When we put idle minds and hands to work, we are in fact taking youth off the street and offering them several possibilities for gainful employment,” said Hill.
He underscored the work being done at the academy to target unattached youths and encouraged them to take advantage of the free training programmes along with boarding being offered at the school.
“The National Irrigation Commission’s role is to enable these innovative ideas to bear fruit by providing reliable and affordable water and other irrigation services in a professional manner. The results of these investments will see more rounded and well-adjusted youth entering the job market.”
The Ebony Park HEART Academy offers courses in agriculture and hospitality, including general agriculture, agro-food processing and food and beverage. The NIC currently irrigates more than 2,800 hectares of land in Clarendon.
Hill Lauds Irrigation Commission, HEART Trust Partnership
Chairman of the National Irrigation Commission, NIC, Senator Aubyn Hill, says he’s heartened by a partnership between the Commission and the HEART Trust which has seen an increased amount of young people being educated about the irrigation sector.
The NIC is mandated to provide irrigation services primarily to the agricultural sector which include industrial and commercial users through some of its systems.
The Commission says in fulfilling its mandate, it has partnered with the Ebony Park HEART Trust Academy in Toll Gate, Clarendon. The partnership will result in water and other irrigation services being provided to the institution.
Commenting on the initiative, Senator Hill says the NIC recognizes the importance of preparing youth for the future in a practical and meaningful way, towards the growth and development of Jamaica.
He says the NIC currently irrigates over 2,800 hectares of land in Clarendon which contributes to agricultural production in the parish.
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Interview with Sen. Aubyn Hill- Chairman of the Board
