National_Irrigation_Commission
The National Irrigation Commission was established in 1986 and became operational in May 1987. The commission obtains its authority from the Irrigation Amendment Act (1999). Its chief role is to provide irrigation services to the agricultural sector. Its mission is "to develop potential sources of irrigation water, and to manage these together with existing resources, by the provision of effective and efficient delivery systems up to farm-gate, geared towards the enhancement of Jamaica’s agricultural development". Under the Irrigation Act, the commission furnishes and maintains efficient irrigation systems throughout irrigation areas in accordance with reasonable standards of dependability as required in irrigation operations. The commission is also responsible for keeping the Black River navigable and other selected watercourses clear in order to minimise flooding in that area. It takes necessary precautions to avoid flooding at all times.