SBAJ to establish Drought Impact Help Desk for members

August 17, 2026

Written byIRIEFM NEWS

By Sugar Ray Thomas

The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) says it will be establishing a drought impact help desk for members to report disruptions to water supply.

Additionally, recommendations will be provided to members on ways to gain access to water for their businesses.

It comes as the water prohibition orders come into effect today due to the drought impacting the island.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, SBAJ President Garnett Reid says drought conditions continue to impact members island-wide.

He says some members are faced with buying water, which is costly.

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Mr. Reid says the numbers for the Drought Impact Help Desk will be made available in the coming weeks.

He notes that while assistance through the help desk will be free of cost, small businesses will have to incur the cost to purchase water from private suppliers.

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Last week, the association suggested that the Government implement a relief plan to help small businesses weather the crisis.

The plan includes some short-term measures, to include an emergency water subsidy for medium and small businesses, priority water trucking at regulated rates, temporary tax relief, General Consumption Tax deferrals and the rapid deployment of water storage solutions.