–to settle accounts in time for Christmas

THE Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) on Monday rolled out its Christmas promotion, dubbed “H2O Connect and Collect”.

The promotion, which began Monday and runs until December 23, is an innovative way of allowing the company to recover outstanding water rates from those customers who are behind in payment.

The launch of the promotion was backed by a television advertisement, and will be followed shortly by one on radio featuring local theatre personality, Ms Desiree Edghill among other participants.

Company Executive, Mr Marlon Daniels told the media Monday at a press conference that while the company recognises that they have a right to provide a good service, customers also have a right to keep their accounts up to date. Those who do so, he said, will benefit from cash-backs and free valves for their storage tanks to help with conserving water.

However, those customers who were disconnected before November, but have since brought their accounts up to date, will earn themselves a waiver on the reconnection fee.

That said, Daniels is now urging customers to take advantage of the offer before the grace period ends, by paying up their water bills and avoid being disconnected.

“Enjoy these pocket-saving offers from GWI,” he said. “Collect big credit in your account, for customers who bring their accounts up-to-date are eligible to have a cash reward credited to their account,” he added.

Among options open to customers wanting to settle their accounts are Online banking, the services of the various post offices around the country and other similar service-oriented agencies.
Daniels said that on December 30, the company will have drawings at each of their eight regional offices countrywide, the proceedings of which will be televised.

Meanwhile, Revenue Manager (Georgetown), Ms Malika Dowlin reminded customers of their obligations to pay their water bills, since the penalties can be costly for those who have illegal connections.

She said customers can visit any GWI office countrywide and have their services regularised at no cost. And for those customers whose arrears are hefty, there’s a pocket-friendly payment plan just for them.

CEO, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles said the utility is aiming at recovering debt since they are moving for financial viability, and urged that customers pay up on balances owed.

He said that because no one wants to be without water, they should enter in a relationship with GWI to settle all arrears in their payment plan and also for disconnected customers to benefit from the waiver for reconnections.