RESIDENTS of the riverine community of Hobodeia are celebrating a major milestone in their development following the official commissioning of a $35 million water supply system that promises to significantly improve daily life for some 400 residents.

The new Hobodeia water supply system was officially inaugurated on Tuesday by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, in the presence of Regional Chairman, Mr. Brentnol Ashley, Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) Hinterland Services Director, Mr. Ramchand Jailal, the village Toshao, and members of the community.
For residents like Mary Willis, the project is already making a tangible difference. “We have one hand pump that we relied on and during the dry season it is difficult. We also have livestock so it will make life easier for us,” Willis shared.

Previously, villagers depended heavily on a single hand pump and faced severe water shortages, especially during prolonged dry spells. The new system, located in the school compound, now delivers a consistent supply of potable water through strategically placed standpipes, with about 40 percent of the population benefitting from direct household connections—a notable achievement given the dispersed, riverine layout of the community.
The comprehensive project included the drilling of a six-inch PVC well, installation of approximately three kilometres of distribution lines, construction of a solar-powered pumping system, fencing of the facility, and installation of both standpipes and household service connections. The work was completed through collaborative efforts involving Fabra Enterprise (well drilling), N&A Construction (trestle works), the Hobodeia Village Council, and GWI.

During the commissioning, Minister Croal commended the perseverance of the implementation team, noting that previous attempts to bring a sustainable water source to Hobodeia had not succeeded. He highlighted the importance of bridging the water access gap in hinterland and riverine areas and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to achieving universal water access.
“In Region One alone, close to $500 million is being invested in 2025 to expand water services,” the Minister said. “The Hobodeia system is one of 45 wells slated for drilling in Region One this year, with 19 planned for the Mabaruma Sub-Region.”

He reported significant progress in water access in Region One, where coverage has grown from about 38% in 2020 to nearly 90% today, with a goal of reaching 95% in the coming months.
“We will continue to keep drilling and expanding services to every community until everyone is served,” Minister Croal declared.

Linking the development to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Minister Croal stressed that while the global target for universal access to water and sanitation is set for 2030, Guyana is on track to achieve it much sooner, thanks to GWI’s proactive strategy.

Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, praised the successful implementation of the project and underscored the many ways in which improved water access would enhance the health, productivity, and well-being of Hobodeia residents.
The commissioning marks not just the delivery of clean water but the start of new opportunities for health and development in one of Guyana’s resilient hinterland communities.