…Gov’t, IDB in partnership to benefit close to 30,000 residents
CONTRACTS totalling US$15.5M were signed to improve the water supply system in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), through the Linden Water Supply Rehabilitation Programme , which will bring direct benefits to close to 30,000 residents there.
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on behalf of the Government of Guyana and Country Representative for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Marco Nicola, signed the agreements in the presence of the Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali in Mackenzie, Linden.
The programme will entail a total modernisation of the water distribution system in the region and will benefit thousands of residents, including those in the new housing schemes at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc; this component is valued at $12.3M.
In addition, the Government of Guyana and the IDB signed a US$3M agreement for improvements in the wastewater sector through the establishment of a Wastewater Revolving Fund, which will allow for the financing of a variety of wastewater solutions through public and private channels.
In his address, Minister Ali explained that the event was indeed important, as the project was started with the people and was built with the people; it is only fair that the stakeholders return to the people to witness the signing of the agreements for the commencement of the project, he said.
Ali took the opportunity to laud President Bharrat Jagdeo’s efforts in transforming the country and improving the lives of Guyanese all across the country, including the residents in Region 10.
“President Jagdeo and his Cabinet ensure that development and large projects must have economic and social balance,” he explained to the residents.
He pointed out that the project would add to the overall investment in the water sector over the next three years in Region 10.
As to the extent of such investments, Ali stated, “Since 2006, in the Water Sector alone, we have invested more than $700M, not including the new project, an investment of $18,000 for every person living in Linden for water alone.”
Alluding to the viability of such a large investment, Ali emphasised that there have been tremendous returns, evident in the improvement of lives across the region, tangible evidence that transformation has taken place.

Scope of Project

He explained that the project would see the construction of two modern treatment plants and two new storage reservoirs with a 3500 cubic meters capacity at Amelia’s Ward, and 2700 cubic meters at Wisroc, as well as three booster stations which will aid in making the investment viable.
In addition, a total of 3.4 kilometers of transmission pipes will be laid.
In order to make the investment viable, it is necessary that programmes be implemented to see the installation of water meters, which will not necessarily add to the cost of the commodity, but which will encourage water conservation.
He assured the residents that owing to the improvements through the new project, they will be receiving a better service.
“You will receive a minimum pressure of 10 meters /30 feet for every home, you will enjoy here in Region 10 pressure and flow equivalent to any citizen in any part of the developed world, at a fraction of the cost,” Ali proudly declared.
This, he said, is only possible because the government continues to assist in carrying the operating cost, recognizing that the commodity is a social necessity.
In this regard, the minister urged those present to reflect on what the situation was like in 2006, before the PPP/C was re-elected.
He explained, “In 2006, 25 percent of the population had access to treated water; today, 45 percent of our population has access to treated water, and we plan to take it to 65 per cent in the next five years.”
In closing, he lauded the development partner, IDB, for its continued collaboration with the Government of Guyana and their support and investment in projects, which has brought tremendous benefits to citizens over the years.
“I want to thank the IDB for its continued support to ensure that targets are met; and I compliment the staff of the IDB, the Ministry of Housing and Water, and the Ministry of Finance, and I look forward to seeing where this collaboration will take us in the future,” he announced.

Benefits of Collaboration

Meanwhile, the IDB Representative, Marco Nicola, acknowledged that the bank has enjoyed a healthy and fruitful relationship with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) over the years, to ensure that citizens receive a steady supply of water across the country.
He noted that the bank has collaborated to see the implementation of several projects in the region, including the Health Sector Reform Programme, and the Low Income Settlement Programme (LIS).
“The collaboration with the Government of Guyana goes back in time, during periods of change and difficult times,” he said.
It is through this collaboration also that indicators such as service, non-revenue water, and sustainability of the utility have been steadily improving over time, he added.
Nicola acknowledged that the signing of the two contracts will add to even more improvement within the sector, and by extension, positively affect the lives of thousands of residents by improving water quality and the efficiency of the water supply system.
“This will be achieved through the reduction of energy use, improved water pressure, quality, reduced level of non- revenue water and strengthening the GWI performance in terms of operation and maintenance,” he explained.
Nicola emphasised that the partnership between the Bank and the Government of Guyana has been a “vibrant” one over the years, and expressed the hope that the collaboration will continue in future.

And Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh noted that on a visit to Linden earlier this year, President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced his intention to execute a major investment in the water sector there.
Since that time, he noted that a number of persons have been working to ensure that this presidential promise and commitment was delivered.
“The agreement that we sign here today to finance this investment represents the mobilising of the resources and the delivery of the presidents’ commitment to improving water supply in Linden,” the minister said.
Dr. Singh explained that such a project could be viewed in two dimensions: it will make a remarkable impact on the quality of social services in Linden, and it will have an economic impact as well.
“The project represents yet another installment of this government’s commitment to improving social services across our country in general, and in Linden in particular,” he stressed.
Alluding to the magnitude of the investment, Singh emphasised that the monies endowed for this initiative is in no way “trivial”, as it will pave the way for the execution of works, employment opportunities, and purchasing of goods and services among other things.
According to the minister, these benefits are taken into consideration whenever Cabinet decides on programmes to be executed.
He stated, “We operate in a global and national environment where resources are finite; and when the President and Cabinet make a decision that an amount of US$12M will be invested in a single project, it is not a casual decision.”
Continuing, he highlighted that the IDB has been a responsive development partner by providing finite resources to execute such projects critical to development.