APPROXIMATELY 232 residents of Kamana, which is located in the North Pakaraimas, Region Eight, will now benefit from a $48 million water supply system.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, on Sunday, commissioned the facility following a brief community meeting with residents.

Accompanying the minister were the Guyana Water Inc. Hinterland Service Director and regional staff, and the contractor responsible for the new facility, Mr. Ramesh Kissoon of R. Kissoon Contracting Services.

During the meeting with residents, Minister Croal used the opportunity to update residents on development plans for the region, coming out of the recently passed 2024 National Budget.

Overall, to improve water services in the hinterland regions, a total of $1.5 B has been budgeted. Out of this allocation, two new wells are expected to be completed in Region Eight, one at Mahdia and another in the village of Campbell Town.

Meanwhile, speaking to residents about their new facility, the Minister implored residents to play their part in preserving it.

Given their location away from the coast, Minister Croal noted that training will be provided to residents for basic maintenance of the facility to ensure its longevity.

The scope of the Kamana project included: the drilling of a potable water well to a depth of 120 metres, installation of 3000 metres of 50mm (2”) PVC pipes, 1000 metres of 19mm (3/4”) PVC pipes with 50 Services connection, the construction of concrete slab and installation of storage tanks and installation of Photovoltaic pumping system and perimeter fence.

Before this new water supply project, the community had been receiving water from a small spring source. However, that system was not adequate to provide water to the entire community.

Also, a donation of sporting gears was made to the community by R. Kissoon Contracting Services. (Ministry of Housing and Water)