A new Ministry of Housing and Water was specially established with the mission to ” formulate policies in the human settlements and water sector and to monitor the implementation of plans, programmes and projects designed to satisfy the housing and water needs of the population.”

Water covers three-quarters of the earth’s surface, but more than 97 percent of the Earth’s water is saltwater in the oceans, and less than three percent is fresh water. Water has been treated as an unlimited resource that is provided as cheaply as possible and in any quantity desired. If continued, this attitude will lead to critical deficiencies in the quantity and quality of available water. Population growth and rising requirements for energy and food are placing increased demands on fresh water supplies. To prevent shortages, the Ministry of Housing and Water must practice more efficient water management, introduce recycling, prevent pollution, and promote water conservation.

Water is as important as food for human life. A person needs one or two liters of water daily to survive. Many of these well in the past in this Region were either not being used at all because they were sited in the wrong area and producing below capacity. For example, Bush Lot a well was drilled to service the community but not a drop of water was found. Pure water supply systems malfunction and operate inefficiently because of inadequate maintenance or failure to correct some minor fault. By 1992 the water sector was in a state of collapse and a virtual standstill in this region today it is better but not to the best, with this new water treatment plant at Lima the system will be boosted to a considerable height in every home.

The sound policies and programmes by the new Minister of Housing and Water Mr. Irfan Ali is welcome by all Essequibians as it will impacted positively on all segments of the population.
MOHAMED KHAN
Former Director CH&PA