GUYANA Water Inc. (GWI) hosted a stakeholders consultation yesterday on its $10M project for the improvement of the city’s sewerage system.

The Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) previously signed a contract for the undertaking and the forum yesterday, at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street, was to consult with residents and members of the business community, who would be affected by the civil works involved in the execution of the 18 months long programme.
The activities include breaking bridges, excavating roads and the use of large equipment and stakeholders were briefed by the executing team and were provided with answers to questions.
GWI is the executing agency for the Guyana Sanitation Improvement Programme being funded in accord with the agreement inked on December 8, 2010.
Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali told the gathering yesterday that the sewerage system is almost 100 years old and there is no blueprint or drawing of it.
They do not have any documents either but they are about to upgrade the sewer network in Georgetown.
He said, in an effort to improve the sewer network to customers’ satisfaction, they have embarked on the project and, despite the challenges, there is much to be done and he assured the stakeholders that GWI remains committed in the implementation and delivery.
Ali added that the implementation will include the strengthening of GWI’s waste management and energy efficiency and that component would involve development of an asset management strategy, staff training on waste water operation, maintenance practices and energy use.

COMPONENTS
The minister stated that, among the components of the programme are the complete replacement of the 5.5 kilometres sewerage ring main in Georgetown; replacement of all delivery mains; purchase and installation of additional pumps for the 24 pumping stations to ensure adequate pressure and operational reliability and improvement to the electrical connection.
It will also include the assessment and emergency rehabilitation of street sewers in selected areas and the purchase of maintenance and operating equipment.
Ali said, coming out of the recent integrated water resource management workshop, they have received five expressions of interest and have a US$3M revolving fund to have waste water re-used and they are working with the IDB to implement that project.
He said they have spent almost $4 billion in Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) in six years; $2.6 billion in the city and, on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara they spent $1.4 billion to have the system interlinked in the integrated waster resource management.
Ali stated that they are always trying to better the water delivery system in Guyana and are looking at various potentials that exist.
He said GWI is also working on a plan of regulations for fast food outlets in which grease traps must be utilised in all restaurants and, if the eating houses do not comply, they will face the necessary actions since they must be responsible.
Ali said they will be working with the Ministry of Health to improve the sewer system and pleaded with consumers not to abuse it by throwing condoms, cement and engine blocks etc. in it, since it overflows and causes disruptions.
The minister, however, called on the Private Sector and consumers to assist GWI to manage the system from which sewer covers are stolen consistently and in which it is illegal to dump solid waste.

INCONVENIENCED
Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GWI, Mr. Shaik Baksh acknowledged that some people will be greatly inconvenienced by the works.
He said they will be monitoring the project, doing site visits and working collaboratively with the contractors to ensure quality work is done and completed in the stipulated time.
Baksh admitted it is costly to upgrade the sewer network but said it has to be done and is phased for completion.
GWI Director of Capital Investment and Planning, Mr. Ramchand Jailal said the job was awarded to S. Jagmohan and Nabi and the consultant is E&A Consultation Inc.
He said the contract will also include public awareness campaigns that will target schools and business owners.
It is imperative that the structural improvements provided by the programme be completed in order to achieve maximum efficiency, Jailal said.
Georgetown Sewerage Rehabilitation Programme Project Manager, Mr. Orin Browne said it will take 18 months to be completed.
He outlined the boundaries and scope of the works to be carried out and added that 24 back-up pumps will be installed at the pumping stations and mentioned some constraints, such as breakage of water mains, damages to Guyana Power & Light (GPL) and Guyana Telephone & Telegraph (GT&T) cables, bridges and the level of disruption.
But Browne assured that all would be restored by the contractors.
In attendance, too, was GWI Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo.