GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) is collaborating with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Guianas, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the Ministry of Health to host a special symposium on March 22. The occasion is in observance of World Water Day, which is being celebrated under the theme ‘Water and food security’.
The programme will begin with remarks by Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali, who said Guyanese should use this year to acknowledge the giant milestones made in the Water Sector, as well as the improved quality of life being enjoyed by the nation due to greater access to potable water.
“The UNDP Human and Social Development Report has acknowledged an improvement in access to potable water in Guyana, from 89 percent in 2000 to 97 percent in 2009,” he said.
According to him: “These are milestones we will celebrate as part of the World Water Day symposium. While acknowledging these significant improvements, we will also use the observance to garner more awareness of the link between protecting our fresh water resources in order to maintain food security, which is the overarching theme of this year’s World Water Day.”
Ali said the activities will include mass media messages from the Water Sector and its stakeholders.
“While we acknowledge the improvements in the sector, our messages for World Water Day will also remind Guyanese that plans are in motion to significantly improve access to potable water in the hinterland regions, as well as the massive improvement planned for Linden under the Government of Guyana and IDB Linden Water Supply Rehabilitation Programme (LWSRP) which is valued at US$ 12 Million,” he noted.
“Guyanese have much to celebrate as we observe another World Water Day, a 97 percent improvement in access to potable water stands as beacon of the improved quality of life being enjoyed by Guyanese,” Ali said.
The symposium will be hosted at the GWI Corporate Complex, on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, with 50 high school students from the city and East Bank and East Coast Demerara particpating.