A $60.6 million water distribution system was commissioned in Waramadong, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven providing adequate access to potable water to approximately 960 residents.
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal officially commissioned the water system on Thursday. He was joined by Hinterland Service Director, Ramchand Jailal, District Coordinator, Governance, Tamika Beharry, and Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Deyon Seecharan.
The scope of the project includes drilling of a new potable water well to a depth of 120 meters, instillation of 3000 meters of 50mm (2”) PVC pipes & 1000 meters of 19mm (3/4”) pipes with 80 service connections, construction of 20 feet high elevated metal trestle with storage tanks, instillation of photovoltaic pumping system, and galvanized chain-link fence.
During his address, Minister Croal highlighted the investments made in the water sector across Region Seven over the past three years. To date, he said some $700 million has been invested to provide first time access to thousands of residents.
New water systems were completed in Kurutuku, Kamarang, Jawalla. Kako, Tasserene, Kaikan, Isseneru, while Kangaruma’s system was rehabilitated during the period 2021 and 2022. Interventions this year include new water supply system in Quebenang, Jawalla (Left Bank) Paruima, Dagg Point, Westerbeck and Five Mile, Bartica.
The population with access to water in Region Seven in 2020 was 3,818 persons which is 34% of the population. With the interventions undertaken in 2021, 2022 and the current projects for 2023, the population with access to water will increase to almost 10,000 persons which is 85% at the end of 2023.
Minister Croal underscored that as part of the Government’s commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal -Six, improvement projects will also be undertaken in other communities within the region to ensure 100% access to
“We want everybody to live a better quality of life… regardless of where you are located, all must benefit from the resources of the state and that is no different for those in Region Seven,” Minister Croal emphasised.
This year, the sum of $1.7 billion was allocated for the completion of wells and distribution networks in the hinterland.