APPROXIMATELY 65 black tanks have been distributed to hinterland communities in Region Two to assist in combating the effects of the current El Niño conditions.

The region’s Pomeroon River is said to have a high level of salt content and, as such, residents cannot use the water for domestic purposes.

Having listened to the residents’ appeal for fresh water, the Region Two administration procured 65 black tanks which have been dispatched to various communities in the Pomeroon River and also in the Mc Nabb area on the Essequibo Coast.

The distribution exercise commenced last week and continued on Saturday with the Region Two Vice-Chairman, Humace Oodit, distributing 50 water tanks in both the Upper and Lower Pomeroon River.

He told this publication that the intervention is timely and will provide the much-needed fresh water, especially to residents living in the hinterland communities.

Oodit said that residents during community outreaches had reached out to officials and, as such, in listening to their concerns, it was decided that water tanks would be procured and distributed.

Distributions were done at St John’s School Landing, Friendship Primary School Landing, Lylidale Primary, Friendship, Strong Hope, Martindale Annex, Malborough Primary School, Rosa Alphonso residence, Upper Siriki Health Centre, Upper Abrams Creek, Upper St Monica/Karawab, McNabb among other places.

The tanks will be placed at strategic points in the various communities so that all the residents can access them.

Residents expressed gratitude to the regional administration for the timely intervention.

“We are very thankful for this intervention. It came at an opportune time when we are in need. We depend on the water to do many things but when it gets salty, we can’t,” Lorna Williams of St Monica said.