Works will commence in the coming weeks to upgrade a manually operated water well on Fort Island, Essequibo River, to better serve some 120 residents.

Housing and Water Minister, the Hon. Collin Croal, made the announcement earlier this afternoon, during a community meeting on the island. The Minister was accompanied by Regional Manager-Guyana Water Inc. Mr. Aggrey Anderson, Regional Chairman, Mr. Inshan Ayube, and Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Davenand Ramdatt.

The new system will see the complete installation of a PV (Photovoltaic) System. The current shallow well that serves the community will be upgraded with the installation of 2 submersible pumps, complete with the well master, control switch, solar panels, lightning arrester, level float, overhead storage & a short distribution system.

After a thorough assessment of the old system, the Minister explained to residents that this solution proved to be the best alternative for the short term. He added that as part of the long-term solution, the Ministry will be exploring the drilling of a new well to better serve the community. This intervention, the Minister said, is a testament to the administration’s commitment to ensuring equal access to basic services.

“Fort Island, like several other communities across the country is feeling the brunt of the extended dry season and we have to ensure that we find solutions for communities that have little to no access to potable water”.

Referencing the community’s thriving tourism product, the Minister noted that access to potable water is very vital.

“We are committed to ensuring increased coverage to potable water across the country, irrespective of their location,” the Minister reiterated.

Meanwhile, the Regional Chairman, Mr. Ayube, echoed similar sentiments and noted his office’s commitment towards fulfilling the government’s mandate.

He added that the regional authority will do what they can to see this project through to the end, including providing support with transporting materials to the island for the project.

He also encouraged residents to play their part in seeing the project to the end since community participation is needed.
Currently, the community relies on rainwater harvesting, the river, and the recently refurbished hand-pumped well.