Minister Susan Rodrigues said she is pleased that the Ministry is well on track to deliver twelve (12) new water supply systems to communities in Pomeroon, Region Two.
Already at the halfway mark for 2024, the Ministry through Guyana Water Inc. has completed two of the 12 systems, while the others are at different stages.
On Friday, June 14, Minister Rodrigues commissioned water supply systems at Hackney Village and Friendship Village in the Pomeroon River. These new facilities will together serve some 500 residents.
To share in this historic moment, the Minister was joined by Vice Chairman, Mr. Humace Odit, Prime Minister Representative, Mr. Arnold Adam, Hinterland Services Director-Mr. Ramchand Jailal and other technical staff of the agency who were instrumental in making the project a success.
The commissioning of the new water supply system at Hackney.A student at Friendship uses the clean water available at her school, through the new system.
The new systems are powered by photovoltaic systems. Meanwhile, the other villages that are slated to benefit from similar investments include Marlborough, Karawab, St. Johns, Jacklow, Abrams Creek, St. Monica, Bethany, Dredge Creek, Siriki, Kabakaburi, Wakapao, David James Scheme, Akawini-Baracaro, and St. Denys (Coastland). At the commissioning ceremony earlier today, Minister Rodrigues lauded the work of GWI for being able to deliver the two facilities promptly.
“I am pleased and proud that we have been able to deliver this well in a very short time it was back in February, and we had just started the work and this community.”
Hon. Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, addresses residents.
During her visit to Hanckey earlier this year, the Minister said she saw the need of residents and the hardship they faced as a result of the prolonged dry season.
Since taking office, the Minister said the Ministry stuck to strategic plans and so far has been delivering results that are significantly improving the quality of life for residents of the hinterland and coastlands. She also reported that the agency is well on the way to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal of 100% access to potable water 5 years earlier than the 2030 deadline.
“We are on a mission to deliver this in the hinterland and coastland in 2025 which is 5 years earlier than the UN, while on the coastland we intend to increase the coverage for treated water”, the Minister pointed out.
Hon. Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, enjoys a drink of water from the new system at Hackney Village.
With this in mind, she added that the agency continues to strengthen capacity as they have invested in rigs to drill wells in the hinterland and far-flung communities.
“In-house drilling has accelerated the works in communities. In the past three years, we have spent $ 3.4 billion, and 75 new wells were drilled benefitting some 15000 residents with first-time access to potable water”.
This year, the Minister said another $1.4 billion is being spent for 40 new wells. Also, along the Essequibo Coast, residents will benefit from two water treatment plants, which will increase the coverage of treated water.
