GOVERNMENT will spend at least $100M on water for hinterland communities, this year, in its continued efforts and commitment to equally improve the lives of its people.
Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali made the disclosure last week Tuesday, at a meeting with residents of the riverain community of Sebai, during his four-day visit to Region One (Barima/Waini).
He was accompanied by Permanent Secretary in his ministry, Mr. Emile McGarrell; Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Hinterland Manager, Mr. Akram Hussain and Region One Chairman, Mr. Fermin Singh.
The team also visited Barabina, Kamwatta, Mabaruma, White Water, Wauna, Tobago Hill, Wanaina, Hosororo, Koberimo, Kokerite, Kumaka, Eclipse Falls, Matthews Ridge and Port Kaituma, to assess the situation on the ground and take much needed relief to residents in light of the El Nino weather pattern.
Ali said, over the last four years, $200M were invested in the hinterland, all of it being subsidy.
He announced that, within the next three years, according to the hinterland water strategy, a further $400M will be expended, $60M directly from the budget and, through support grants from the Japanese Government, 34 solar systems will be installed.
Ali said Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), with its own resources, is going to invest more, as well, in hinterland communities.
He said it is anticipated that approximately 150 solar pumping systems have to be installed, costing more than $130M and 120 overhead storage facilities constructed at a cost of $250M.
Ali anticipates that between 40 and 50 deep wells will have to be developed and, at Port Kaituma, because of the high level of salt content and the contamination, approximately $8M more will be expended on a community sand filter treatment type facility.