GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) awarded the winner of the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) ‘Media Award on Water’, Shane Hubbard on Thursday.
The ceremony took place in the Vlissengen Road and Church Street, Georgetown boardroom, where the new GWI Chairman, Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo was introduced. After he was presented with his recognition plaque, the smiling Hubbard said he is pleased to receive such a prestigious prize from GWI.
He said his work was not easy but he did his best in putting together the video presentation and spoke of the measures needed for proper water conservation in Guyana.
Hubbard also encouraged others to participate in awareness and educational programmes to enlighten people about conserving water.
Dookhoo congratulated him on his achievement after which GWI Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nigel Niles said, the freelance editor and videographer had won the inaugural media award established by the (GWP-C).
Niles said Hubbard’s television submission, under the theme ‘Water and Food Security’, was the unanimous top pick by the competition’s judging panel, which consisted of Caribbean experts and professionals.
Dookhoo said that it carefully and creatively illustrates a plethora of issues related to the vital link of water to food security; steps taken by the Guyanese Government to ensure the country’s food security and the strain on Guyana’s water with agriculture being a large consumer of the resource, among other issues.
He said, amidst those concerns, the video also encapsulated the need for Guyanese citizens to be more aware of the realities of water scarcity and the key role they can play in conserving it.
“In this light, GWI is proud to host an event honouring such a remarkable talent which has been recognised by the company’s partner and collaborating agency, the Global Water Partnership- Caribbean,” Dookhoo remarked.
He said GWI applauds the work of the GWP-C as it strive to support Caribbean countries in the sustainable management of their water resources to foster an integrated management approach at the community, national and regional levels.

Entirely committed
Dookhoo said it is a goal to which GWI is entirely committed, through its metering programmes, community outreach education ventures, school education workshops and tours and public awareness activities including a popular television production and now a radio programme on the Voice of Guyana.
He added that the Board of Directors of GWI is supportive of the Global Water Partnership in building greater awareness on water management as well as initiatives such as the one observed Thursday, in which the GWP-C acknowledges outstanding work by local media in advocating the protection of fresh water resources and the conservation.
“Immediately you will recall GWI’s own ‘Media Partner Award’ for outstanding coverage of the water sector in 2011, which was also presented by Minister Ali at the Company’s 10th Anniversary Celebrations in May.  This further illustrates the shared goals and objectives of the GWP-C and GWI,” Dookhoo said.
He pointed out that GWI is supporting the objectives of the Media Awards on Water which seek to inspire Caribbean journalists to report more on water and also to commemorate the United Nations World Water Day which is celebrated on March 22 each year.
It is an event GWI has, successfully, promoted here in Guyana, with a focus on youth preserving Guyana’s vital fresh water resources.
Dookhoo disclosed that the competition required  Caribbean media practitioners in the areas of print, television, radio and multi-media to submit original, published works within the period March 5 to April 10, 2012, on themes such as ‘Water and Food Security’; ‘Water Conservation’; ‘Water and Poverty’; ‘Water and Health’; ‘Water for All’; ‘Water and Sanitation’; ‘Water Use Efficiency’; ‘Climate Change’ and ‘Integrated Water Resources Managemet, among other related topics.
He said entries into the ‘Media Awards on Water’ were rated based on the journalists’ ability to clearly communicate the chosen topic and highlight the essence of the issue; originality and creativity in expressing the topic; accuracy of content and the overall quality of the material submitted.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali, who was unable to attend, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emil Mc Garrell said the Ministry will, soon, launch the medium term strategy aimed at water conservation in the community.

Transform attitudes
He encouraged the media to work hand in hand with GWI in the dissemination of information to transform  attitudes in the water sector.
Mc Garrell said the medium term stratagem, which is yet to be introduced, will improve the social sector as it relates to water for sustained health and housing.
He also asked the media to assist GWI in creating awareness in water resource management since the commodity plays a major role in people’s lives and there is the need to efficiently conserve on its use.
Mc Garell said, too, that GWI has also embarked on a project in the hinterland where it is in the process of providing safe water to residents there.
Giving the background and history of GWP-C, Niles said it is the Caribbean Regional Water Partnership of the Global Water Partnership Organisation, a network of partners all working towards a water secure world.
GWP-C was formally inaugurated in Tobago in June 2004 and works to support Caribbean countries in the sustainable management of their water resources and fully promote and apply an integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach at the community, national and regional levels.
Niles said, GWP-C operates through its partners which include Government ministries, water resources agencies and utilities, Private Sector companies; non-governmental organisations (NGOs); water user associations and community based organizations, among other entities.
He said there are some 65 partners in countries worldwide.
The Thursday function also featured singing by songbird Miriam Williams, who sang ‘Don’t Give Up’.