More than 3,000 persons are set to benefit from improved access to water in Angoy’s Avenue in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) after contracts valued at $36.5M were signed yesterday.
This project, slated to commence within the next two weeks, will result in the installation of six kilometres of transmission mains and will take three months to complete.
Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, made this announcement yesterday during the official signing of the contracts at Patrick’s Dam in Angoy’s Avenue.
In his address, Minister Ali noted that Angoy’s Avenue does not have a proud history in terms of development, and pointed out that there has been some resistance to government interventions in the community.
Reminding the residents of this resistance, he said, “There are about five persons who are continuing to push and who have indicated that the court order which was filed would be removed; we need them to agree to this,” he said.
He highlighted that more than 95 percent of residents want that order to be removed, which would be in their best interest.
“If these persons are happy seeing this area the way that it is, the government does not share this view, as development must be equal to all parts of the country,” Ali said.
In addition, he emphasized that development will be made in the area and steps will be taken to move forward with critical social development in order to have a   properly centralized community.
As to the benefits of this, Ali stated, “I can assure you, on behalf of His Excellency, President Bharrat Jagdeo, we are aggressively pursuing development in Angoy’s Avenue notwithstanding the stumbling blocks. We are going to push forward as the government continues to partner with you to ensure that your lives are improved.”
In this regard, he urged the residents to use the water provided responsibly and to exercise the responsible behaviour of paying for the service which they will receive.
He said, “Last year we had $14M million outstanding for water alone in this area; so this year I ask for your commitment to paying the full amount for each household.”
Ali also explained that 60 percent of the cost for water is subsidized by the government, which amounts to $30,000 per household, with the residents being required to pay only $11,000 for the service.
He explained, “This is a subsidy of $19,000 and I want you to take on your responsibility of paying your 40 percent share.”
Minister Ali pointed out that the extent of the investment in the region points to the governments’ commitment to ensuring that development continues in every community, and gave his assurances that the improvement works will continue in the area with the road improvement programme which will be initiated before the end of the year.
Chief Executive Officer (ag) of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Mr. Nigel Niles, explained the importance of conservation and encouraged the residents to be conscious users of the precious resource.
He said, “GWI’s programmes advocate for the conservation of this commodity which is an expensive service to provide, so I will also encourage you to pay for the service.”
Niles charged the community members with the task of protecting the infrastructure and encouraged those present to report difficulties, which he assured them will be dealt with in a timely manner.
“We are privileged to provide this service to the community,” he announced.
Addressing the gathering, Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha noted that
the area is “crying out for development  and pointed out that he is happy that the Ministry of Housing and Water now has the authority to begin the development in the area.
He highlighted that there were groups who were trying to stall any form of development in the area and stressed that this will not be allowed as development must continue.
In addition, Mustapha encouraged those present to work along with the authorities so that they will be able to reap the benefits of the investment by aiding the government to monitor the programme.
The regional chairman also took the opportunity to explain the importance of the regularisation of the scheme and the benefits that this too will bring with it in the future.
He said, “This too is in the planning stage and will be brought to the residents of Angoy’s Avenue so that the community will be able to take its rightful place in the development of the region.”
Mustapha described the signing of the contracts as a “bold and innovative step” by the Ministry of Housing and Water and expressed the hope that additional works will  be continued  to transform the community  into a modern  one  which will ultimately improve the lives of those persons living there.
Meanwhile, several of the residents present at the signing ceremony explained that they are overjoyed that their water woes will soon be over and profusely thanked the Minister for his efforts in this regard.
“The water system is greatly needed in this area as we have been fighting for years with the problem of small pipes and low water pressure; and soon we will see the end to this problem,” explained Mr. James Karoo, who has been a resident in the area for over 15 years.
Continuing, he also pointed out that additional development in the community would be a welcome initiative, as many of the residents would like to see an improvement in their living standards.
He extended his gratitude to the Government of Guyana and to the Minister of Housing and Water for initiating the improvement of the community.
Another resident, Ms. Cecilia Morris, noted that the occasion is indeed a happy one, which will bring with it many benefits to all residents.
“I am happy and I know other persons will also feel happy with what is happening here, thanks to the government for this development,” she stressed.