THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Thursday, held a workshop to develop a National Integrated Water Resources Management Policy and Roadmap, with the objective of better supporting sustainable development and management of water resources. The two-day workshop at the Guyana International Conference Centre, will see participants collaborate and share ideas to achieve a common goal for Guyana to be more water conscious.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Water, Emil Mc Garrell, stated that the workshop is a timely one, as a National Consultation on the Management of water resources has been long in the making.
According to Mc Garrell, the expansion of Agriculture, Housing and Education in Guyana points to an unprecedented demand for water, hence the formation of the policy and roadmap.
Noting that water is important for development, he pointed out that it is time that the sector adopts a new and better management plan.
“We are moving to join many of our Caribbean countries, in terms of developing our own IWRM and an important partner for us in achieving this is the Global Water Partnership Caribbean,” he said.
Adopting better standards, values and priorities are methods which will be implemented and discussed during the workshop, to determine the way forward.
Regional Coordinator, Global Water Partnership Caribbean, Avril Alexander, while giving an overview of the project, stated that the policy and roadmap, when implemented, will in a holistic way address the issue of water management in Guyana.
Recognising its importance, the Guyana Water Incorporated has targeted the development of an IWRM Strategy. The workshop is the first step to its implementation.
GWPC is one of 13 Regional Water partnerships, which was established in 2004 to support Caribbean countries in sustainable management of their water resources by fostering an integrated approach at the community, regional and national levels.
“Our mission is to assist Caribbean countries in achieving a long-term goal of water management, and this policy is the way to ensuring that Guyana manages its resources well,” she said.
Global Water Partnership Caribbean at present has four partners in Guyana, including GWI, University of Guyana , Rural Women’s Network and the Guyana Caribbean Initiative.
Alexander, while calling on other organizations to join the network, alluded to the fact that GWPC remains committed to ensuring that Guyana continues to be the land of many waters for centuries to come.
 “The ministry has been collaborating with the GWPC for over a year for the development of this policy and road map…consultation is key to this process, as such a policy cannot be developed without key consultations,” she added.
The project coordinator also made a call for participants to be actively involved in the process.
Meanwhile, Project Consultant Dr. Paulette Bynoe stated that a review and assessment of existing water policies and legislations were conducted, as part of the way forward.
Speaking on its importance, she stated that IWRM policy sets out a new vision for water management, noting that it is necessary as the world, with Guyana being no exception, currently faces the effects of climate change.
“After assessing the water situation in Guyana, it is key to note that the State should not be the one responsible alone for water resource management,” the consultant said.
She urged society to move away from the concept that water in Guyana is in abundance, and as such could be wasted.
The stakeholders who were drawn from government agencies, private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), were encouraged by Dr. Bynoe as to the importance of collaboration for the benefit of a common goal.
Also present was newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, GWI, Shaik Baksh.(GINA)