GWI Fulfills Promise to Naamless & Surrounding Villages

– Some 400 residents receiving improved service

(Georgetown, Friday, May 17, 2019) – Some 400 residents of Naamless and surrounding communities on the East Bank of Essequibo are now benefitting from improved Water access following the Guyana Water Incorporated’s reactivation of the Hubu Well Station.

The well station along with the Naamless distribution network were on Thursday, 16th May, 2019 re-commissioned. The reactivation of the well at the cost of approximately GYD$2M, has resulted in residents of Bartenstein, Blake, Grove Park, Hubu, Present Hope, Hyde Park, Lookabu, Lookout, Mora, Naamless, Parika, Salem, St. Lawrence and Unity benefitting from improved level of service.

Prior to this intervention, the residents were being served by GWI’s Vergenoegen Water Treatment plant and had complained of  receiving a reduced level of service. An assessment of the water situation had shown that customers in neighbouring villages were pumping water directly from the distribution network, thus affecting those towards the end of the system.

Speaking at the Commissioning ceremony, Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles informed that not only have the residents received an improved level of service, but in about two weeks they will be receiving treated water.

This, he explained, forms part of the company’s countrywide efforts to ensure equitable access to potable water, which is not only a human right, but also speaks to the health of residents.

The Managing Director took the opportunity to highlight that in a matter of three weeks, several surrounding communities will gain access to potable water.

As he pointed out that the residents are now receiving good quality and supply of water, he also reminded them that honouring their dues will help to ensure the system continues to function optimally.

GWI, he said, is also working with the Regional Democratic Council to ensure that the water tanks at schools are cleaned and disinfected so that the students can have access to safe water.

Dr. Van West- Charles thanked the residents for their patience as he asked that they care for the service they are receiving.

Member of GWI’s Board of Directors, Mr. Mervyn Williams also took the opportunity to implore the residents to care, protect and preserve the facility in order to afford themselves its benefits on a long term basis.

He noted that GWI has embarked upon a programme that seeks to develop the water supply systems countrywide. This, he said, ensures that the nation’s health is taken care of and a better quality of life is realized for its citizens.

The Board member explained that the government embraces the Sustainable Development Goals and much of the development of sustainable communities, would be rooted in those goals.

Mr. Williams, on behalf of the Chairman and Board of Directors, commended GWI for the sterling job done countrywide.

The company and more specifically its Managing Director also came in for high praises from Regional Executive Officer of Region 3, Mrs. Jennifer Ferreira- Dougall who pointed out the swiftness in addressing water issues raised.

Access to potable water, she said, is a part of the good life promised by the President David Granger led administration.

She expressed gratitude to the Management and staff of GWI for the improved access to potable water for the residents as she too urged them to care for the facility.

The difficulties faced by the residents in relation to their level of water service was brought to the attention of GWI by Head of the Office of Migration of the Department of Citizenship, Mr. Aubrey Norton, who was also present at the re-commissioning ceremony.

He said that the government believes in the promotion of sustainable communities, which ought to have the basics such as water, electricity and roads. Mr. Norton assured that he will continue to engage the communities so that assistance can be rendered.

The residents expressed gratitude to GWI for their improved service, as they pointed out the challenges which they were facing. One such person was Mr. Lionel Seepersaud who alluded to previous sources of water which included ponds and creeks.

He said that he is now receiving a better pressure and quality of water which is coming through his taps and he is happy about that.

Headmistress of the St. Lawrence Primary school, Ms. Denise Winter also expressed gratitude on behalf of the community as she pointed out that the teachers and students rely heavily on water and would have previously had to pray for rainfall.

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