RESIDENTS of Lethem in Region 9 will now enjoy a better supply of potable water as President Donald Ramotar, on Saturday last, commissioned a new Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) well.

The President was accompanied by Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and GWI’s Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh.
During the commissioning ceremony, the President expressed his satisfaction having seen the successful completion of the project. “I want to express great satisfaction that this facility is working and is providing water to Lethem. I need not emphasise how important water is for everyone.”
The President stressed the importance of water not only for domestic purposes, but also for industrial, manufacturing and development, hence supplying potable water is a top priority for his government.
“In the Rupununi, particularly in Lethem, the community is a microcosm of what is taking place in the rest of Guyana; this community is growing by leaps and bounds,” the President said.

The Guyanese Head of State said plans are on stream for another well in Lethem which will serve the new housing area for domestic use, and also in anticipation of the growing industrial development.
“We are already seeing new developments in this region, including large scale farming. In Lethem we have been investing a lot in the water sector. In 2009, we invested $17 million; 2010, $58 million; 2011, $47 million; 2012, $25 million, and last year $28 million,” Mr Ramotar told those in attendance at the commissioning of the new water well.
In addition, the President pointed to the fact that over the past year new wells have been drilled in Baitoon and Rupertee, and residents are benefitting tremendously.
“The communities are benefiting and it’s easing persons in the dry weather; people don’t have to go far distances for water. This is making a major difference in the lives of people.”
Notably, President Ramotar said the PPP/C administration has been able to achieve water coverage of 98 percent generally, and in the interior, moved from 25 percent to 71 percent coverage.
“We hope to move into other regions to ensure they have reliable and potable water. Of course communities including, in the Rupununi, have shown that it has industrious people and capable people, and over the years, the government has managed in a big way to create the human capital for more rapid development.”

In terms of developing the human capital, the President alluded to the fact that the government has constructed several new high schools with dormitories with the aim of having 100 percent of children having secondary education which is vital for any type of development.

“…this human capital being prepared constantly, we need to accelerate in ensuring that the economic development of the communities will expand, and that is why we have been investing heavily and looking at economic projects and providing cheap projects, funding resources and developing training of entrepreneurs.”

The President also noted that the combined Opposition is grasping at every opportunity to stymie development as they have made significant cuts to the national budget which will impact significantly on hinterland communities.

“That is why we have the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), and all of those things were cut. I cannot believe that anyone who is interested in any kind of development will want to cut funds that will develop citizens…the ADF is aimed at providing cheap finance to help new businesses to expand their own project and their livelihood.”

The Head of State added that other key developmental projects have also been affected within the health, tourism and aviation sector.

“Not only have they been cut from Amerindians, but many other funds that have been cut will have a direct impact on interior communities…,” he said.

“It is clear that we can’t take these people at their word. In Parliament the Opposition was talking about development west of the Essequibo, but every single project west of the Essequibo that is in this budget – in the same budget period – they have cut and the AFC who joined with them, we clearly see that, their interest is not the people.”
“My view is that they want things to get bad in the country with the people, and hope the people will blame the Government for some of the problems, but I have total confidence in the collective intelligence of the Guyanese people. I’m sure that people will see through this and reject them for what and who they are,” the President said.
According to him, the Government will continue to progress and build Guyana.
“With your support we will work very hard, we will work to legally get around the cuts, we will not stop the development in our country. We will continue along the path of development,” the President asserted.
Meanwhile, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali said he was pleased with the successful completion of the project as it is a reflection of continued progress.
“When the President assumed office, he made a number of commitments in the manifesto he was elected on, also in his successive policy statements in relation to water, and particularly in relation to the development of Lethem.”
Minister Ali added that in relation to water, the commitment was to have 100 percent coverage in terms of access all across Guyana, and in the various regions.
“Here in this region we are pleased with GWI that we have been able to work on the president’s commitment in having almost all of the communities powered by solar driven wells. More than 60 percent of the entire hinterland is covered with at least one solar driven facility.”
Further, Minister Ali said it is the administration’s plan that before the end of the President’s first term, to have 100 percent coverage in terms of each village having at least one solar driven well.
“Here in Lethem we have had tremendous strain on the water system as a result of the development that is taking place, in terms of the expansion of the commercial sector, and so on and we had to invest in this facility.”
The minister also announced that another well will soon be commissioned in Lethem with the hope that those two wells will not only satisfy the present demand, but cater for an increase in demand Lethem itself necessitates as a result of its growth.
“I’m pleased that the President made a commitment in terms of coordination of the Lethem Development Authority. In addition, the President had made a commitment of setting aside money for the upgrade of the industrial estate in this year’s budget and more than $190 million has been set aside for that estate,” Minister Ali said. (GINA)