Further collaboration needed with Hinterland villages – GWI
Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Press Release
Friday, August 9, 2019 – Georgetown, Guyana
The need for collaboration between Village Councils and the Guyana Water Inc. was emphasized during the Kanuku Mountain Community Representative Group’s (KNCRG) second board meeting for 2019.
This call was made by GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles.
He was addressing Toshaos and other village representatives in the presence of Minister and Minister within the of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock and Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe respectively in Lethem on Thursday, August 8.
Dr. Van West-Charles noted that greater collaboration will guide GWI on how to prioritize, monitor and address gaps within Amerindian villages.
Operating by the principles outlined by President David Granger, the Managing Director reiterated that the water utility is committed to ensuring issues of access and quality water are addressed.
It is with this in mind that GWI has stepped in to focus on access to water in critical facilities such as schools, hot meal buildings, health centers and sanitary blocks.
As the sole water utility, GWI should be integrally involved when new economic community projects that require water, are being planned, Dr. Van West-Charles stated.
He added that shallow, hand-dug wells can no longer suffice and as such, the company has undertaken to drill deeper wells using new technology. Distribution networks are also being installed to guarentee access to water, even for residents living far from the water source and on the hill.
Dr. Van West-Charles posited that access to water in their homes will allow them to have showers & flush toilets, thus eliminating the need to walk long distances to fetch water and bridging the gap with the coastland.
President of the KMCRG, Mr. Russian Dorrick said that residents have welcomed water access in their homes, particularly after a day’s work in the fields.
Minister Allicock commended GWI for the works done throughout Region 9 to date and called on the villages to maintain the water systems.
GWI is in the process of acquiring 2 rigs and other equipment, which would further enhance its efficiency of drilling wells in a timely manner.