Georgetown, GINA, June 06, 2009
Illegal water connections have been impacting significantly on the Guyana Water and Incorporated (GWI) and in order to reduce water losses, the company will be addressing this issue.

During a recent press conference at the Ministry of Housing and Water, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali disclosed that the GWI has embarked on a massive campaign to curb illegal water connections.

“We have identified more than 100 persons who have illegal connections or who have tampered with connections….We have identified these persons not only for our internal knowledge but we have the police involved,” he said.

He noted that the illegal connections are prevalent in squatter settlements adding that other areas are on the radar for such inspection.

Chief Executive Officer, GWI, Yuri Chandisingh also updated the media on major projects that are ongoing in various regions.

In Linden, Region Ten, the CEO said several projects including service upgrades and installation of transmission lines and distribution networks are nearing completion.

“In a matter of a few short months residents would benefit from improved services. These major interventions in Linden are valued at $260M which includes major transmission and distribution network upgrades…It is intended that these interventions will reduce our operating cost to enable us to focus more and provide improved level of service to the residents in Linden,” he said.

Chandisingh said similar interventions are also being conducted in Region Six including meter installation and service upgrades.

He further urged that persons should not tamper with GWI’s property since the devices are integral to the maintenance of the water network.

“We are asking residents in those areas and in fact throughout the length and breadth of the country not to tamper or interfere with GWI’s appurtenances whether they be meters or stop corks at the end of the system…We will be dealing with it condignly for persons who believe they can interfere with our systems and think they can get away with it,” he urged