MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, outlined the sector’s recent achievements and future plans during a presentation at the National Toshaos’ Council Conference, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday.

The event brought together village leaders from across Guyana to discuss development initiatives and address local concerns.

Minister Croal highlighted significant advancements in the water sector for 2024, including a budget allocation of $1.5 billion aimed at completing at least 40 new wells and installing new water supply systems across the country. To date, 20 wells have been completed, with 13 constructed by contractors and 5 completed in-house by the ministry. The total expenditure for these projects has reached $500 million, marking 33 per cent of the planned 2024 programme.

In addition to the completed wells, the government plans to drill an additional 12 wells using in-house resources. Minister Croal emphasised that the Government of Guyana is committed to expanding water systems and drilling new wells to enhance access to clean water, particularly in hinterland regions. To further these efforts, Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) has already initiated the tender process for the upcoming projects, and additional funding will be requested from the Ministry of Finance to complete 24 more wells.

Joining Minister Croal at the conference were Minister Susan Rodrigues, Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Shaik Baskh, Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailall, and other senior technical officers from related sub-agencies. Their presence underscored the government’s comprehensive approach to addressing water accessibility issues and improving service delivery throughout the country.

The conference also provided a valuable platform for the Toshaos to voice their concerns and offer suggestions on how to improve the quality of services in their communities. The engagement allowed for open dialogue between the government officials and village leaders, fostering a collaborative approach to resolving issues and enhancing the standard of living in Guyana’s hinterland regions.

The National Toshaos’ Council Conference continues to serve as a critical forum for discussing the needs and aspirations of Indigenous communities and ensuring their inclusion in national development plans.