THE GUYANA Water Inc. (GWI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Water, under the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Thursday launched the Guyana Wastewater Revolving Fund Project, a pilot project funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for US$20M grant for private/pubic partnership to address wastewater management. Launching of this project took place yesterday in the GWI Boardroom at Vlissengen Road and Church Street, Georgetown, where Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali delivered the feature address to stakeholders and others gathered for the occasion.
Ali said that with respect to the Guyana Waste Water Revolving Fund pilot project, Guyana has played a leading role in improving waste water management, which has tremendous economic potential; and regulations will be implemented to meet international standards in providing low-coast financial resources for the mining, agriculture, business, commercial and manufacturing sectors for sound sustainable partnership.
He pointed out that this launching will see developed a waste water management model which will create economic spin-off benefits; and as such, he called for all sectors to embrace the waste water initiative, which will see supportive legislation and regulations being formed to ensure the project’s sustainability.
Ali noted that with the pilot project launched, there will be strong institutional framework in engaging the private sector, in not becoming a financial burden to the Revolving Fund, to adapt to international practices.
He noted that, with the project, Guyana will have to manage its mining waterways before it loses its fresh water supply, since the government is cognizant of the role fresh water plays in development, and the pilot project is a test model which needs partnership with the private sector for it to be functional.
Meanwhile, Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (CReW) Project Coordinator Denise Forrest, in brief remarks, gave a background of the project and opportunities for the country. She said the initiative was formed in 1976 during a regional meeting with leaders, since there was a need for wastewater management in the Caribbean.
She said that 85% of water waste goes into our environment, where it has a significant impact; and there was a need to address the problem.
Forrest added that CReW, established in 2011, seeks to provide sustainable financing for the wastewater sector; support policy and legislative reform; and foster regional dialogue and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders in the wider Caribbean region.
Moreover, The IBD and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are the co-implementing agencies for the project.
She noted that 13 states are involved in the pilot project, and there are five objectives under which it will be executed in its three components, which will impact on development of the matter of wastewater to change the environment.
Also giving an overview of the project was Guyana Wastewater Revolving Fund (GWRF) Project Coordinator Darren Shako. He said the project will be executed through the Ministry of Housing and Water; and since wastewater management is a global problem, locally, there are steps being taken to implement solutions which will impact poor wastewater management. Those steps will significantly improve sustainable development, and the benefits garnered will be large in terms of Guyana’s tourism capabilities among other things.
The pilot project financing mechanism is a test for modality in the region, and the Revolving Fund will be used to treat wastewater.
Shako said that on GWRF’s part, it is a US$4M investment in Guyana which is slated to improve access to financing, and it is a unique opportunity where wastewater management will be given attention. And in this, the private sector’s input is required.
Also making remarks was IDB Country Representative Sophie Makonnen, who talked about IDB’s operations in Guyana’s water and sanitation sector.
She said wastewater management has not received enough attention, and the IDB has granted US$20M for the implementing of the pilot project here, which would help GWI and the environment.
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, was also present at the launching ceremony, and made brief remarks in which he wished the pilot project much success for sustainable development.