Hubu water woes over

By Nateshia Isaacs

DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 17, 2019

“We nah bin ah get wata steady, now abee ah get wata steady.”

Deonarine Bhukhan is a 79 year old pensioner of Hubu, a farming village on the East Bank of Essequibo. That was his reaction as the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) recommissioned the village water station on Thursday.

The senior citizen recounted to the Department of Public Information his struggles to access clean, potable water for his sustenance.

Bhukhan was forced to catch rain water in his ‘black tanks’ and barrels for washing, cooking and cleaning. He is now beyond elated for the increased water pressure when he turns on his stand pipe.

“Oh meh God, believe meh when meh tell you, meh really glad abee get wata, wata ah de main ting in dis house,” Deonarine said.

The Hubu water station which became inoperable in 2017 was recommissioned Thursday last by GWI.

“Meh deh 79 year, me nah no lil pickney and thank God that [the Government] ah still help abee,” Bhukhan added.

GWI Regional Officer Denise Woolford described the access to potable water as “paramount to our existence”.

“GWI is committed to ensuring that this basic need is accessible to all Guyanese. This activity is indicative of this commitment,” Woolford noted.

She stressed that with the interventions made by water company, residents have now been afforded the opportunity to have enhanced water pressure and a filtered supply of water. Previously residents received low pressure water from the Vergenoegen station several miles away.

Mervyn Williams a GWI Director and also a new Member of Parliament heralded the project as one of many to improve the quality and availability of water.

“There was a time when development only visited communities when some sort of (political) support was guaranteed, those days are behind us. [GWI is ensuring] that the nation’s health is taken care of and to ensure that a better quality of life for every citizen of Guyana is realised,” Williams said.

He further underscored that the citizens’ interest informs the developmental programmes of GWI.

The Government believes in the promotion of sustainable communities and as such promotes and embraces the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). GWI has embarked on programmes for the furtherance of Goal #6 which entails the provision of clean water and sanitation for all.

Within three weeks, more wells and water networks will be set up in several East Bank Essequibo communities. These include Hyde Park, Bartenstein, Blake, Grove Park, Lookabu, Lookout, Mora Parika, Salem, St Lawrence and Unity.

Images: Ameer Sattaur

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