-President Ali tells residents, commits to improving drainage and irrigation, rehabilitating recreational spaces

BILLIONS of dollars have been earmarked to rehabilitate roads in communities along the West Coast Demerara (WCD) corridor, President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced while assuring residents that attention will be given to the drainage and irrigation infrastructure and recreational facilities across Region Three.

The Head of State on Sunday made these disclosures while engaging residents of La Parfaite Harmonie and Dem Amstel.

“Between Windsor, Onderneeming, Westminster [in] those three areas alone with the roads that we are picking up on the 75 per cent occupancy, we are talking about an investment of over one billion dollars…close to $1.5 billion. So, that is to tell you the amount of resources that have to be spent to do these roads…it’s a lot of small roads,” he said.

President Ali who walked around the communities meeting and listening to the concerns of residents despite the raining conditions, explained that the government is now working along with the regional democratic bodies to begin the mobilisation for several of the infrastructure works.

The aim is to hire small contractors to complete the rehabilitation of community roads and streets in a timely manner.

“We want to use the smaller contractors, so we can get it done quickly and we will do the concrete roads,” he said.

In addition to this, several contracts have already been awarded to rehabilitate the main access road of some villages in the region.

The President further committed to improving drainage and irrigation in those communities.

Both at La Parfaite Harmonie and Dem Amstel, residents highlighted the need for improved drainage maintenance, streetlights and the revitalisation of community spaces.

In response, the President disclosed that the government will continue to work closely with citizens and their respective regional bodies to improve lives and further advance community development.

“A lot of communities that we are going to now, the young people are very keen on agriculture. You know of all the progress and development that is taking place in the region and across the country. Your children are beneficiaries, the elderly are beneficiaries,” he said.

WATER WOES

In addition to the massive road works, the government is also working to improve access to safe potable water in those communities.

And although residents voiced concerns of low water pressure in the area, the President requested that they be patient as works are underway to improve this.

The government has invested $1.18 billion in a new water treatment plant at Onderneeming, which is on track for commissioning by the end of 2024.

One of the primary concerns to be addressed by the new plant is the high iron content in the water, which has been a persistent issue affecting residents’ health and daily lives.

The ongoing advancements in the water treatment infrastructure underscore the Guyana government’s commitment to ensuring essential services reach every corner of the country, promoting health, economic growth, and community resilience.

Officials from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) on Sunday told residents that the new plant is 65 per cent complete.

In addition to this, transmission lines are being constructed to ensure that there is an efficient water supply. Works on these are 90 per cent complete.

The entire project is expected to be completed by December.

President Ali was accompanied by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, along with several technical officers.