– Khan’s Hill well nears completion

AS construction on the new eight-inch well progresses smoothly, residents of Khan’s Hill and nearby communities in Region One will soon benefit from better access to potable water.

The drilling of the well is being facilitated through the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) programme.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the government remains committed to its manifesto promise of providing every household with potable water.

Efforts are being made to expand the service to other areas.

Once the well can produce a minimum of 20 cubic metres per hour, the service will be extended to supply Thomas Hill, Mabaruma Settlement, and the township area. This will be a major accomplishment for the government, DPI said.

This will be the second time an eight-inch well is being drilled in the hinterland region. In Port Kaituma, the first eight-inch well was drilled, and it was a massive success.

Recently, the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, recently inspected ongoing works at the well site at Khan’s Hill.

“We are working steadfastly because, within two years, it is expected that the entire Region One must be 100 per cent coverage. I can also assure you for the Mabaruma municipality zone, we will achieve by the end of this year, 100 per cent coverage for everyone including Hobo Hill,” Minister Croal stressed.

This has resulted in a significant increase in hinterland coverage to 75 per cent by the end of 2022, he said.

“By the time we are finished this year, we will move the coverage of the hinterland to 89 per cent. One hundred per cent access of water services to all riverine and hinterland communities are targeted and must be achieved by 2025,” the minister said according to the DPI.

As part of its target for Region One, approximately 17 wells will be completed in 2023, and some $250 million is budgeted to execute the construction of these wells.

Among the areas to benefit from the drilling of new wells are Manawarin, Waramuri, Haimakabra, Kamwatta, Koko, Parakeeis, Cabora, Karaburi, Wallaba, and Santa Rosa.

Additionally, new wells will be drilled in White Water, Yarakita, Kamwatta, Black Water Savannah, and Wauna in the Mabaruma sub-district.

The government has invested more than $2 billion in hinterland communities.

Some $1.4 billion will be spent this year to increase access to clean, safe water in hinterland communities in Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight, and Nine. Some $17.7 billion was allocated in this year’s budget to expand water systems and management, DPI said.