for Grove/Diamond and Belle Vue housing schemes
– Contract to be signed tomorrow
– Thousands of residents to benefit from potable water
MINISTER of Housing and Water Mr. Irfaan Ali has disclosed that the contract for the much-anticipated drilling of two new wells at Grove/Diamond on the East Bank Demerara and Belle Vue on the West Bank Demerara will be signed tomorrow.

Minister Ali, who earlier this year made commitments to have these projects executed before the end of the year, yesterday told the Chronicle his ministry is fully committed to the task of fulfilling its mandate to supply potable water to every Guyanese citizen.

This Capital intervention is part of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) strategic plan to improve the flow and pressure of water in areas that are critical.

These projects would be executed by the Trinidadian based company “Water and Oil Wells Services” at an approximate cost of G$100M.

It is envisaged that more than 5000 residents of the Sisters, Goed Intent, Belle Vue, Stanleytown and La Retraite communities will benefit from an improved water supply.

A further 15,000 persons living directly in the Diamond/Grove area will benefit from this intervention.

Both projects would be done simultaneously and are expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of this year.

These Government of Guyana projects will be funded through the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) and supervised by the consulting firm, CEMCO.

Minister Ali said these interventions form part of Guyana Water Inc turn-around plan which includes a one billion Guyana dollars capital investment portfolio aimed primarily at aligning the company’s capital infrastructure to deliver a more efficient service.

The level of pressure and flow would also be addressed with these interventions. Later this month, the contract for a Treatment Plant valued at more than G$1.2 Billion in Corriverton will be signed and this will benefit over 18,000 customers in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), he further announced.

Meanwhile Ali, at a late afternoon news conference yesterday to update the media and public on the capital investment programme so far for the water sector and the sewerage system in Georgetown, said GWI has embarked on the implementation of a strategic turnaround plan to improve its services to the people.

The plan includes the acquisition of new capital infrastructure such as wells and distribution network; and the consolidating of existing capital investments.

The minister also noted that critical elements of the turnaround plan include reducing wastage and non-revenue water.

He stated that the Government of Guyana resources in the budget, along with various funding agency, amounts in excess of $3B to be spent this year in developing the sector.

The minister revealed that more than $195M will be spent in hinterland communities this year and touched on concerns in the hinterland communities due to the prolonged dry season and the immediate plan of action to be taken.

Turning to the sewerage system, he said government has a very strategic and focused direction to ensure that the system remains stable, efficient and sustainable into the future.

“The projects I outlined will improve the reliability of the system and will pave the way for its completed rehabilitation in the long term,” he stated.