MINISTER Susan Rodrigues announced that the Ministry of Housing and Water is on track to deliver twelve new water supply systems to communities in Pomeroon, Region Two.
With 2024 at its halfway mark, the Ministry, through Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), has already completed two of the twelve systems, with the remaining projects at various stages of development.
On Friday, Minister Rodrigues officially commissioned water supply systems at Hackney Village and Friendship Village along the Pomeroon River. These new facilities are set to serve approximately 500 residents. The Minister was accompanied by Vice Chairman Mr. Humace Odit, Prime Minister’s Representative, Mr. Arnold Adam, Hinterland Services Director, Mr. Ramchand Jailall, and other technical staff who played key roles in the successful implementation of the projects. Notably, the new water systems are powered by photovoltaic technology.
Minister Rodrigues highlighted the significance of the achievement and praised GWI for its timely delivery of the two completed facilities. “I am pleased and proud that we have been able to deliver this well in a very short time. It was back in February when we had just started the work in this community,” she stated.
During a previous visit to Hackney earlier this year, Minister Rodrigues observed the residents’ needs and the hardships caused by the prolonged dry season. She emphasised that the Ministry had adhered to strategic plans since taking office, leading to significant improvements in the quality of life for residents of both hinterland and coastal areas. The Minister also affirmed that the agency was on track to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal of 100% access to potable water by 2025, five years ahead of the 2030 deadline.
“We are on a mission to deliver this in the hinterland and coastland by 2025, which is five years earlier than the UN target. On the coastland, we also intend to increase the coverage for treated water,” Minister Rodrigues added.
The Minister revealed that GWI continues to enhance its capacity by investing in rigs to drill wells in remote hinterland communities. “In-house drilling has accelerated the work in these communities. In the past three years, we have spent $3.4 billion, drilling 75 new wells and providing first-time access to potable water to approximately 15,000 residents,” she noted. This year, the Ministry has allocated another $1.4 billion for the drilling of 40 new wells.
Residents along the Essequibo Coast are also set to benefit from two new water treatment plants, which will significantly increase the coverage of treated water in the region.
The additional villages slated for similar water supply investments include Marlborough, Karawab, St. Johns, Jacklow, Abrams Creek, St. Monica, Bethany, Dredge Creek, Siriki, Kabakaburi, Wakapao, David James Scheme, Akawini-Baracaro, and St. Denys (Coastland).
Minister Rodrigues’ efforts and the Ministry’s strategic initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to improving water access and quality across Guyana, ensuring a better future for all its citizens.
