Minister Ali outlines countrywide water improvement plans
MINISTER of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali, assuring that investment in the water sector stretches across the country, said, Friday, that fairness and equitable nature of development is the hallmark of this Government. He was speaking at the commissioning of the new $400M Water Treatment Plant at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice), where the facility will benefit some 15,000 consumers.
Ali said the accomplishment was the culmination of hard work by the people in Region Five and the Government.
“We live in a society, today, that is bombarded with a lot of negativities at times. We live in a society where development and the focus on development is, sometimes, misguided by a few,” he observed, adding that is why it is very important to understand the importance of such investments.
“It is important for us to come out to the community and communicate with you on investment that is made, so that we do not allow a few negative persons and aspects of the media to misguide us in our analysis on the development and progress in our country,” Ali declared.
Alluding to President Bharrat Jagdeo being awarded Champion of the Earth, by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the Minister said it is, indeed, a great accomplishment and recalled that, in the Head of State’s brief address at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, on his return from receiving the award, he did not focus on what it meant to him, but focused on the meaning for Guyana.
Ali said President Jagdeo “challenged us to ensure that we utilise the image that is created for Guyana internationally to move this country forward.”
“And I think we owe it to him and for his personal contribution and his personal sacrifices, to ensure that the development that this country is going forward with, is not lost in any way,” Ali stated.
He also noted that, in his New Year’s address, President Jagdeo also issued a challenge to all public servants and, most importantly, his Cabinet, to focus on a few things.
“You asked us to ensure that we improve the efficiency and that efficiency must be measureable… you asked us to, in the sectors, manage people friendly development… you asked us to focus on accountability and transparency,” Ali said, referring to the President’s urging.
The Minister took the opportunity to update his audience on some of the accomplishments and plans in store for the development of the water sector, in the context of those challenges.
Ali said the commissioned plant is an addition to the infrastructure that already existed and the water produced by Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) from every single plant across the country is in accordance with health standards and anyone can use it without fear of health risks.

Incremental development

He said the Cotton Tree factory is part of the incremental development and in accordance with the turnaround plan, which entails that, by the end of 2011, there should be at least 63 per cent coverage in water treatment countrywide.
Ali said the target is nearing, being in the 40 per cent range and, this year alone, six water treatment plants will be completed.
He said a new well in Linden was just commissioned.“And this is another focus of this Government. We ensure that the development we bring to our people is equitable.”
Ali reiterated that investment in the water sector stretches throughout the country and, only recently, President Jagdeo visited Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and, immediately, having assessed the conditions and the El Nino situation, additional resources were allocated to the hinterland communities.
“Because of the principle and value of this Government to ensure that all our people benefit, in an equal manner, from the development pie. That is critical for this Government,” he maintained.
Ali pointed out that the GWI produce is among the cheapest worldwide and posited that it is not so because the cost of production is very low, but because the Government of Guyana subsidises the cost of water to a great extent, at 60 per cent.
Apart from water, he said health services, housing and electricity all benefit from subsidies.
“All of these, if you calculate the per capita cost or the cost for every single person, you would see that your annual income is severely enhanced if you are to add all the subsidies Government gives,” he said.
Ali elaborated: “For every single person across Guyana, the Government is spending $25,000 to improve the water system this year.”
He said this points to a very important fact, that the Government has always been conscious of the social sector.
“We believe, strongly, in the improvement of the lives of our people. We believe, strongly, in the enhancement of the lives of our people and education, health and water are critical components in the improvement of the lives of our people,” he outlined.
Ali said a very important feature in the design of the water treatment facility is that it makes use of one of the most modern systems, which is known as the sand filtration type which helps to reduce the energy cost.
“So we can reduce the overall operating cost of producing the water and we need to make this known to our critics, too, because, sometimes, they focus on all sorts of issues when we commission these new projects. But this project is a technologically sound project that looks at the environment and ensures that we reduce energy consumption and operating cost,” he said.
Continuing, Ali said: “We are, indeed, very happy to be in this position today to commission this facility and we look forward to serving you, the people in Region Five and we are committed to improving the service we deliver to you.
“I know that there is a lot of work that needs to be done and the management is aware of this and GWI is working aggressively on fixing leaks and ensuring that they respond in a more prompt and efficient manner.
“Because I know those are the parameters through which His Excellency is going to mark us at the end of the year,” he said.
Ali said: “We are hoping that, by the end of this year, the level of service across the coast would be one that is reliable for all our people.”