– rainfall also affecting pace of road repairs

GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) road repairs related to the Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme (GSIP) are being carried out at reduced pace due to heavy and prolonged showers.

GWI Public Relations Officer, Mr. Timothy Austin said that the inclement weather has affected the planned activation of the newly-rehabilitated force and delivery mains under the Government of Guyana (GOG) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) US$ 10M Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme (GSIP).

GWI was the executing agency for the GSIP. An agreement was signed between the GOG and the IDB for the sum of US$10M for the improvement of the Georgetown Sewerage System’s operational performance. This contract was signed on December 8, 2010, based on the agreement that the GOG and the IDB will cooperate in the execution of the programme.

Components of the programme included the complete replacement of the 5.5 KM Sewerage Ring Main in Georgetown; replacement of all delivery mains; purchase and installation of additional pumps for 24 pumping stations to ensure adequate pressure; operational reliability and the improvement of electrical connections. It also included an assessment and emergency rehabilitation of street sewers in selected areas and the purchase of maintenance and operating equipment.

According to GWI Programme Manager, Mr. Orin Browne, “the consistent rainfall and flooding has caused delays in the activation of the new sewer infrastructure.”  He stated that private contractors, S. Jagmohan/Nabi Consortium, were forced to halt works related to the activation because of flooding at several work sites.

He also said that the contractors have pointed out to GWI that the execution of road repairs during the current weather would affect the quality of the work tremendously. Work is to be resumed at the required rate as soon as the weather and site condition improves.

GWI assured this publication that in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works, it will continue to consistently monitor all road repairs being executed by private contractors to ensure high quality.

(By Sandy Agasen)