–  to enlighten Guyanese about the importance of water to food security
GUYANA Water Incorporated, GWI, the nation’s supplier of water and sanitation services, in collaboration with UNICEF, PAHO, WWF-Guianas, EPA, FAO, and the Ministry of Health, will today broadcast a special panel discussion in observance of World Water Day 2012. The broadcast will be seen on NCN Channel 11 from 20:05hrs and will feature World Water Day stakeholders and a discussion of this year’s World Water Day theme, “Water and Food Security”. The discussion aims to educate Guyanese about the need to conserve precious freshwater resources which are vital to both the Agriculture sector and the overall economy.

“We continue to be alarmed by persons dumping garbage into our freshwater,” stated GWI Public Relations Officer, Timothy Austin. “These include creeks, rivers and canals, such as the Lamaha Canal, which are used not only to provide our customers country-wide with water, but for irrigation and food production. The broadcast will attempt to address these concerns, particularly from the point of view of our World Water Day partners at the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the EPA and PAHO.”

The PRO urged every Guyanese to ensure he views the broadcast and partners with the water utility to propagate the message of protecting Guyana’s freshwater resources in an effort to maintain food security.

The panel discussion will include GWI Scientific Services Manager, Donna Canterbury, Aiesha Williams, Freshwater Resources Officer from the WWF-Guianas, Karen Alleyne, Senior Environmental Officer, EPA, Dr. Lystra FletcherPau, FAO Country Representative, Adrianus Ton Vlugman, Senior Advisor – Sustainable Development and Environmental Health at PAHO, and Dr. Ashok Sukdeo, Representative of the Ministry of Health.

The broadcast will be seen on the eve of World Water Day which is observed internationally on March 22, and will be highlighted in Guyana with a launch for stakeholders and media, followed by a symposium for high school students.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, will make a special address on the 2012 theme: “Water and Food Security”, followed by a feature address by Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali.