– addresses moving forward housing and water sector projects

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali, and Team, addressing Hururu residents. In photo are GWI’s CEO (acting), Yuri Chandisingh; Hinterland Manager, Akram Hussein; Scientific Services Manager, Savitri Jetoo; and Toshao Herman Williams.

SEVERAL interventions by the Housing and Water Ministry will assist in the improvement of Amerindian communities situated along the Berbice river bank.

These major interventions will significantly aid the communities in terms of enhancement of water supply, sanitation and housing needs which will be realized shortly. The interventions are expected to bring further benefits to the communities of Hururu, Sand Hills, Kimbia, Wiruni and Wikki/Calcuni.

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali accompanied by several officials from his Ministry travelled to the riverain communities on August 9 and 10 to propel the Ministry’s thrust of implementing programmes to enhance the lives of the communities.

Residents raised several concerns as it relates to potable water supply and urged the Minister and team to provide interventions since the water they utilise is contaminated as a result of mining and other activities. 

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW WELLS
The Ministry will be spending more than $200M to improve incremental housing development, water supply and sanitation in hinterland and riverain communities. These include the installation of solar pumps, construction of sanitation blocks and provision of wells to benefit residents in the areas.

“This meeting is to assess your requirements and to look at various options and provide resources to improve your access to safe water supply,” Minister Ali said.

The Minister outlined that given the many issues as it relates to potable water supply, his Ministry will be exploring the possibility of constructing new wells and installing solar systems for the areas.

Hururu residents

He assured residents that technical staff from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will be mobilized within three weeks to conduct assessment and feasibility studies while rigs will be deployed within three months for the drilling of wells.

In communities where there is infrequent water supply as a result of old infrastructure, inspection and assessment options will be examined to ensure better quality water supply.

GWI’s Chief Executive Officer (acting), Yuri Chandisingh said despite the water challenges facing the communities, he is confident that the GWI will try its best to resolve the water issues.

Meanwhile, GWI’s Scientific Services Manager, Savitri Jetoo outlined several household hygiene practices to residents to prevent waterborne illnesses while Hinterland Manager, Akram Hussain updated the communities on water sector plans for the areas.

Over the years, the Housing and Water Ministry has placed tremendous focus on hinterland communities by providing support to ensure residents have potable water supply.

Under the Ministry’s Hinterland Water Programme, remote communities such as St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Region Four; Paruima, Region Seven; Monkey Mountain, Region Eight; Aishalton, Kato, Sand Creek and Yupukari in Region Nine; among others have benefitted from infrastructural development.

HINTERLAND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Residents were further informed about the Hinterland Housing Development programme which is being examined under the Second Low Income Settlement Programme (LIS) by the Housing Ministry.

They were told by the Minister that the Ministry will be improving the livelihood of residents since it has budgeted $200M for the construction and development of houses in indigenous communities.

Minister Ali addressing Kimbia Residents

The LIS programme which is being executed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will improve housing needs of residents of several regions across the country.
The programme will finance the upgrade and rehabilitation of infrastructure and services while improving approximately 4,900 lots on eight sites in Regions 3, 4, 5, 9 and 10.

It will further finance a package of technical assistance and provision of materials for beneficiaries for the improvement of physical conditions.

The Housing and Water Minister said the administration will continue to invest in the improvement of social welfare for hinterland communities by providing basic access to homes and other amenities.

The Ministerial outreach was a follow-up to the various housing and water issues raised by Toshaos at the recently concluded National Toshaos Conference held during 27 to 31 July. (GINA)
Minister Ali addressing Kimbia Residents