The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) took its “Camp Resolution” initiative today to West Coast Berbice as part of its Strategic Plan to extensively enhance its customer service.

Minister Ali discussing water initiatives during “Camp Resolution” with Blairmont Residents at the Blairmont Community Centre ground.

The camp which was held at strategic locations (Dundee, Mahaicony, Bush Lot and Blairmont Community Centre Ground) provided the opportunity for residents to interact with Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali and GWI officials. It also provided services in the areas of bill queries, payments, installation of new service connections and leakages.

Minister Ali said that the objective of the camp is to ensure that all customers benefit from quality service and for them to establish relationships with the entity, where they will be able to air their concerns and queries.

He noted that estimated billing is the major issue which most of the residents are expressing concerns about.

Minister Ali stated that GWI will assist in this respect. Customers who are metered will be allowed to pay off their accumulated rates and a flat rate of $8,900 which was requested by residents.

Chief Executive Officer (acting) of GWI, Yuri Chandisingh giving some advice to a resident.

He promised that from the new year there will be a “read it yourself” initiative which will be implemented to help customers document their meter readings by themselves. They will be able to uplift the relevant documentation forms at the GWI locations which they will return after recording the readings.

However, GWI rangers will be checking the readings after they have been reported to the GWI offices and if customers misrepresent the information or report inaccurate readings, they will be liable to penalties, he said.

Minister Ali added that Region Five benefits from a fair level of service and urged the residents to protect their own interest and to conserve.

He also said that pensioners benefit from a water rate waiver and if they surpass the ceiling, then they will be required to pay the additional costs.

GWI officials assisting residents of Bushlot during “Camp Resolution” with their billing problems

Chief Executive Officer (acting) of GWI, Yuri Chandisingh said that the responses from consumers have been encouraging since they are able to have matters resolved. The programme is also an opportunity for GWI to communicate with persons in terms of its plans and investment and to garner feedback.

GWI Head, Field Services Operation, Joseph Codette, said the aim of “Camp Resolution” is to assist GWI’s Division on the West Coast of Berbice in solving operational issues.

One of the issues affecting residents in Region Five is water quality and GWI will be taking a proactive approach in flushing the mains.

For the past four-and-a-half years, GWI has expended more than $1.1B in Region Five for water sector improvement; and for 2009, in excess of $170M was allocated for the region.

Leonard Singh, a resident of Number 1 Settlement, Blairmont, during an interview with media officials, lauded GWI for implementing the initiative, stating that the service will allow more customers to benefit from quality service and have their matters resolved in a timely manner.

Mohamed Sardar, another Number 1 Settlement resident, commended the agency for the initiative. He said that the service will reduce consumers’ time in transacting business and the location is very convenient where everyone can benefit from individual attention.

The outreach programme has already been taken to East Bank Demerara, Georgetown and Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam). It will also be taken to Linden, Bartica, East and West Coast of Demerara and East Berbice.