The ten-member team which consists of policy and decision makers from both the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and EWURA, will utilise the knowledge gained from the study tour to engage in sector reforms including development of robust regulations of the petroleum, electricity and water and sanitation sectors in Tanzania.

The delegation will also learn about differentiated policy making, service provision and regulation in both energy and water sectors.

Minister Ali, in brief remarks, expressed pleasure at the mission’s visit to the country since the experiences will be shared on the integration of the water sector with wider economic and social aspects of both countries.

The Minister said that water as a resource is a critical component for development which is sometimes overlooked and underfinanced, and that both countries would have shared similar experiences as it relates to the development of sector.

The visit is one that is built on a strong tradition and foundation of relationships established between these two countries since 1970, he said.

Minister Ali told the delegation that Guyana is part of an international struggle to bring awareness of the global impact on the environment and the potential effects on the management of the country’s water resources.

He said through the launch of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, the water sector has been incorporated as an important component of the strategy and that the sustainability of this natural resource depends heavily on the management of the sector.

Minister Ali added that energy plays an integral part in the water sector in Guyana since the country’s utility company is utilising more than 60% of its operating cost for the production of water and energy.

“Both water entities in both countries share very similar institutional and historical facts in the development of the sectors. So your rich experience of the technical staff would go a long way in sharing with us methods which we can use in reducing the energy cost,” he stated.

The Minister further highlighted that Guyana’s water sector continues to face challenges as it relates to reduction of non-revenue water and geographical constraints; however, the GWI will share its experience and vision on its strategic plan to help assist the Tanzanian water sector to move forward.

Tanzanian Minister of Water and Irrigation, Professor Mark Mwandosya, said that diplomatic relationships between the two countries have been strong over the years.

“What we are doing is to make just one more step in that long history or to try to make a foot print of the independence of our two nations. Even before independence and the struggle for independence, the political relationship between Tanzania and Guyana was close and that relationship remains long thereafter,” he said.

The Minister highlighted that the team’s visit is to humbly lend their experience in matters related to the water sector and to see to what extent Guyana has exploited its human resource capacity for its development. 

The Mission was also given a tour to several GWI facilities including Pouderoyen Water Treatment Plant, Region Three, the construction site of the new Central Ruimveldt Water Treatment Plant and the Tucville septic receiving station.

The delegation includes Ambassador, Tanzania Embassy in Brazil, Dr Joram Biswaro; Director General-EWURA, Haruna Masebu; Director-EWURA Board, Lucy Sondo; Acting Director of Commercial Water Supply, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Samuel Lupimo; Director of Water and Sewerage, EWURA, Mutaekulwa Mutegeki; Director of Economics Regulation, EWURA, Felix Ngamlagosi; Director of Petroleum, EWURA; Personal Assistant to the Minister, Mwinyiheri Ndimbo; and Administration Officer, EWURA, Caroline Mushi.

The members will also meet with other Government Ministry officials responsible for energy and utilities regulatory authorities before undertaking other studies in Brazil and Jamaica. (GINA)