.jpg)
20,000 to benefit from Tuschen $85M well
MINISTER of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali commissioned the $85M well station in Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, last April 1.
At the commissioning, attended by officials of Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) and scores of residents, he underscored the importance of the occasion that would benefit 20,000 people in the community. 
He paid tribute to the beneficiaries who have endured hardship over the years because of inadequate water supply.
He paid tribute to the beneficiaries who have endured hardship over the years because of inadequate water supply.“Persons still have memories of the days when our people walked for miles to have access to enough water to take them through the day,” Ali noted.
He said the new well is part of a wider investment plan to which government remains committed and the several projects include the treatment plant at Vergenoegen, work on the main access road in Tuschen and other roads and development in Zeelugt Housing Scheme, also on East Bank Essequibo.
“These are important aspects of development for our people as we strive to ensure that your living conditions improve and you all have access to social infrastructure in health, housing and education,” he remarked.
Minister Ali said the Tuschen well is closely linked to the massive development that is taking place along that particular corridor in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), specifically in the water sector.
“Since 2006, we would have invested more than $1.2 billion in the water sector in Region Three. This includes the treatment plant at Vergenoegen, the wells at Tuschen and Parfait Harmonie and the improvement of transmission mains in Canal Number Two and Parika,” he disclosed.
Ali reiterated that the investment points to a commitment by the government to improve the lives of all citizens countrywide.
He said a treatment plant would be installed at the Tuschen well as the resources become available, to further improve the services provided in the Water Sector.
Improved
Ali recalled that, over the last five years, the coverage with treated water has improved from 25 to 45 percent of the population.“In another five years, we plan on improving that by a further 20 percent, so that 65 percent of the population will have access to treated water, which will cost a further $6 billion, an investment of more than $1.5 billion, annually, to reach the target,” he announced.
Ali challenged the residents to recognise the magnitude of the investment on their behalf and play their part in ensuring that the commodity is used in a sustainable manner.
He also urged them to be responsible and to see the importance of paying for the service.
Ali thanked the various partnering agencies for collaborating to make the project a success.
Region Three Chairman, Mr. Julius Faerber also implored the residents to remember a time when the commodity was scarce and to do their part in caring the facility and conserving the water provided.
Expressing his gratitude for the further investment in the region, he said: “In almost every community today, a well is placed and for this I want to thank the Government for living up to the promises in their 2006 manifesto.”
GWI Executive Director, Capital Investment and Planning, Mr. Ramchand Jailal said the Tuschen well has a depth of 429 feet and capacity to produce 120 cubic metres of water per hour.
The Government of Guyana/Basic Needs Trust Fund/Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)/Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) jointly funded the contract which was executed by Nabbi Construction Inc.
