THE Guyana Government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) US$12.3 M Linden Water Supply Rehabilitation Programme (LWSRP) is progressing as planned and has resulted in the employment of more than 30 Guyanese.

This is according to a press release, issued yesterday, by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), which stated that a significant portion of the skilled workers have been sourced directly from Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).
It explained that the project is meant to, significantly, improve the level and quality of water service provided to the town.
“S. Jagmohan Hardware and Construction Supplies, one of the contractors executing pipe-laying exercises for the LWSRP, has employed 24 Lindeners in various capacities, including technicians and labourers,” the release stated.
It added that the consultant, EGIS EAU has employed seven technicians/engineers, three of whom are Lindeners.
The Chief Executive, Mr. Shaik Baksh said: “GWI is pleased that, beyond the massive water service enhancements that the programme will provide, it is also providing employment for a significant amount of Lindeners. GWI is proud to execute a programme which is enhancing the lives of a large portion of our customers in Linden in both service delivery and employment.”
He stated, further, that more Lindeners will gain employment as the third contractor, UEM Inc. commences construction of two treatment facilities at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc.
“We anticipate the involvement of more Lindeners as the LWSRP progresses. Our aim is to further enhance our partnership with our customers in Linden, by involving them in key aspects of the programme,” Baksh said.
He indicated that S. Jagmohan Hardware and Construction Supplies is, currently, executing pipeline installation in Amelia’s Ward, Wisroc and other key project areas and Lindeners will notice road excavation, the use of large equipment and tools as well as minor traffic diversion.
UEM Inc. has also commenced initial preparatory work to construct new treatment facilities at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc in Linden, Baksh informed.
Adequately prepare
He said an intense public education campaign has begun, to adequately prepare Lindeners for the water conservation drive which will be required when the LWSRP is completed.
“We need every Linden customer to adopt an attitude of conservation regarding their water use. Customers will not enjoy the significant benefits of the new system if there is wastage of the resource,” Baksh warned.
Meanwhile, GWI’s Public Relations Department recently conducted a workshop with students of Amelia’s Ward, Christianburg and Regma Primary schools.
A 60-minute television documentary, which will provide all details of the LWSRP for Linden customers, is expected to be shown in mid-May on all stations accessible in Linden, as well as the company’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook fan page.
GWI is the executing agency of the LWSRP, for which two civil works contracts were signed on Friday, September 14, 2012.
The first contract, which is valued in excess of $156M, is for the rehabilitation of mains and the upgrade of the distribution network on the West Bank and the second, with a value in excess of $319M, is meant for similar works on the East Bank.
Both were awarded to S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services and Suresh Jagmohan affixed his signature in the Linden Enterprise Network Inc. Boardroom, on Republic Avenue, Mackenzie, in the presence of key stakeholders from Linden, including Vice-Chairman of Region 10, Byron Lewis.
Executive Director of Capital Investment and Planning, Ramchand Jailal, said that the project seeks to significantly enhance the quality of life experienced by GWI customers in Linden.
“Over the next five years, we expect to undertake a series of large-scale civil works which will include the construction of two new water treatment plants at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc as well as booster stations, reservoirs and the installation of transmission mains as well as the rehabilitation of the distribution system, including replacing leaking pipelines and service connections,” he said.
Higher levels
Jailall said, with the combination of the new treatment facilities and the reduction of leaks through an upgrade of the distribution system, Linden customers will experience improved water quality as well as higher levels of service.
GWI is also engaging a consultant to develop a strategy to reduce water loss and non-revenue water.
“We are aware that the current system is not adequate, due[to] its age and the growth of the town over the years, but, when the new plants are fully operational, customers will enjoy a higher standard of treated water as they are designed to deliver water quality that fulfils World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines,” Jailal said.
With regard to protecting sources of fresh water, he said the new Wisroc Water Treatment Plant will utilise from the Dakara Creek, so Linden customers must protect the creek and its watershed by avoiding what can pollute it, such as mining and forestry activities and dumping garbage in or around it.
Jailall emphasised that, while the new facilities will provide an improved level of safe, potable water, the flow can still become contaminated if customers are reluctant to adopt safe habits, such as storing in covered containers and consistently cleaning black tanks.
Customers with questions about the LWSRP can e-mail pro@gwi.gy; visit www.gwiguyana.com or post questions via social media at www.facebook.com/everydropcountsgy