THE Government of Guyana clearly recognizes the links between water, sanitation and poverty; and as such, seeks to improve both the supply and access to safe water and sanitation services to all Guyanese.
In this regard, more than $600M has been invested to improve water services in the hinterland regions in the past five years, benefiting some 55,000 people.
Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali made this announcement while giving an overview of the accomplishments of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) over the last five years.
He also proclaimed that in excess of $1B will be injected into improving services in the hinterland areas in the coming years.
On this note, Ali said that the government’s approach to the massive development underway is one that seeks partnership and collaboration with the communities in implementing processes to ensure the sustainability and viability of projects.
Regarding other improvements in the hinterland areas, he said, “A total of 27 photovoltaic pumping systems were installed, and 22 new trestles and 52 new potable water wells were constructed. This is only in the hinterland communities.”
Ali also explained that, in an effort to ensure there is adequate pressure and volume of water in all systems, 18 new wells costing $1.2 billion have been built along the coast.
“This has definitely improved the pressure and the flow of water to many more customers. In this regard, we have more than 30,000 new households added to the system on the coast,” he said.
These improvements have taken GWI’s customer base from 150,000 to 180,000 as at the end of 2010, he informed.
In terms of the distribution network, the minister explained that GWI has completed more than 60 kilometres of new transmission mains, and has installed in excess of 27,000 services.
He pointed out that the total invested in these areas is in excess of $7B: for the expansion of the network, in servicing new customers, and in improving and upgrading the existing services.
In the area of subsidy to vulnerable members of the population, such as pensioners, he highlighted that the last five years has seen significant growth in the number of pensioners, and these are being subsidized.
Ali said, “This (the number of persons) has gone from 12,000 to 20,000, a growth of almost 50 per cent (of persons) who benefit from the special government subsidy.”
This, he said, is evidence of the improved living conditions enjoyed by citizens of the country, and is a positive correlation of the development the country is experiencing.