– commissioned at Canefield, East Berbice
THE new Canefield Well Station at East Bank Berbice was commissioned yesterday and is projected to bring benefits to more than 14,000 residents there.
The Government of Guyana and the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) jointly funded this facility at a cost of Gy$120M and it forms part of government’s intervention to further develop Guyana’s Water Sector. During the opening ceremony, Minister of Housing and Water Mr. Irfaan Ali explained that, over the last five years, Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne ) has benefited from an overall investment of $6B in the water sector alone which speaks to the commitment in ensuring that all Guyanese have equal access to important services.
“At one time, these services were reserved for urban centres. Today all development across the country is equitable,” the minister declared.
Ali also encouraged residents to conserve the resource that has been made more accessible through the substantial investment and to change their behaviours to protect the investment.
He explained: “We want this to be an impetus to stimulate your ability to change your attitudes in the way you use water, not only for this but other investments as well.”
In this regard, the minister took the opportunity to highlight the degree of subsidy that the residents are benefiting from and pointed out that for every occupant who uses water in the area, Government has spent more than $50,000.
Continuing, he congratulated the beneficiaries for their accomplishment in attaining the well and expressed his gratitude that they have placed their confidence in the government for providing this and other facilities designed to improve their quality of lives.
Executive Director, Capital Investment, and Planning at GWI, Mr. Ramchand Jailal revealed that this new well has a depth of 750ft with the capacity to produce 180 cubic meters of water, equivalent to 90 black water tanks.
In addition to this, it was completed with a 109.5 ft stainless steel screen, which adds to its durability and safety, he added.
Meanwhile, the residents gathered all expressed their appreciation for the new well, which they collectively acknowledged would improve the quality and reliability of the water provided.
“We were suffering in this area so this venture will improve the standard of water and the pressure we get through the pipes. So instead of just hours of water, we will now be able to enjoy a daily service,” Mr. Bhupaul Jagroo, a long time resident explained.