Now it seems like the government has taken the cautious step to listen to the cries of the people and have struck a compromise that it no doubt hopes would halt further public outcry.

Officials from the Water Services Department are now indicating that they are in the process of securing bill payment centres in downtown Basseterre, in addition to the new one to be established at the Needsmust preparation and payment office.

They have tried to assure customers that every effort is being made to enhance customer convenience, by securing these added payment centres in the city. The locations will include the General Post Office and the Inland Revenue Department. They added that these and other centres will be available for use shortly. 

Customers have also been reminded that they also have the option to use any of the established commercial banks, as well as internet portals, to pay current water bills at their convenience. 

The transferring of the bill preparation and payment office to Needsmust came under heavy criticism last month when the move was announced, with customers charging that the government was being insensitive to the added costs for transportation and the great inconvenience, especially to senior citizens, some of whom would be required to pay more for bus transfers or taxis, to access the Needsmust offices.

The argument of the public was that rural consumers especially those from the west would be required to take at least two busses, to reach the Needsmust location causing an increase in travel costs to make their water payments. 

In addition, others made the assertion that instead of moving the office to Needsmust, it may have served better, if one of the many abandoned or un-used government owned buildings in the heart of the city, was used to house the new office.