-over 100 households to have increased access to potable water
GIVEN the current dry season, water is one of the most sought-after resources in Guyana and throughout the world. As such, the government continues to construct wells so that citizens can have access to an adequate supply of potable water.
This is according to Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, who conducted a site visit at Oronoque, in the Port Kaituma sub-region, Region One, with Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Hinterland Services Director Ramchand Jailall, regional officials, and a team of technical officers over the weekend.
With the ongoing development of the new $30 million well, Minister Croal added that more than 100 homes in Oronoque will soon benefit from enhanced access to potable water.
He further explained that the Oronoque well and distribution system upgrade, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of April, is a component of the government’s commitment to establishing additional new wells in Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight, and Nine by the end of 2024.
He also emphasised that these initiatives are aimed at improving potable water supply for hinterland and riverine communities.
“The Oronoque well will supply and enhance the lives of over 100 households with potable water after its completion by April month-end. This, like the other wells that we are constructing and upgrading across the country, is part of the government’s commitment for 2024. Our goal as a government is to ensure that we enhance the availability of drinkable water by the end of 2025 for people living in the hinterland and riverine areas.
“By the end of 2025, we are also working towards reaching the goal of 99 per cent of the population having access to a drinkable water supply on a national level,” Minister Croal added.
Minister Croal further stated that President Irfaan Ali is determined to bring development to every sector so that the people can benefit and live a more comfortable life.
“We are honouring our promises as a government by delivering to Guyanese, and we need to remember that President Ali is dedicated towards the development of all his people, and as ministers, we are also committed to ensuring that we play our part too. When President Ali speaks of development, he is speaking across the board, in every sector, and for the betterment of every Guyanese.”
While many may not be pleased with the quality of the water that they are getting in some areas, Minister Croal said that the government is currently working on installing treatment plants across the country in addition to other measures to ensure that the issue is resolved.
He also mentioned that the administration had dug more than 80 wells, both in the hinterland and on the coast, since the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) assumed office.
He emphasised that his ministry is working to guarantee that every community has access to potable water from a well instead of a river by “fast-tracking” the programme.
“In the hinterland, we are fast-tracking the initiative, and some of the regions are more advanced than others in terms of coverage, but we are continuing the work. Every community that is receiving directly from a riverine source, we are removing them because we want them to get water from a well or, in some cases, the spring. Because of the flow of the water from the mountain, we harness or trap that and create a gravity flow, which is one of the most powerful and reliable sources because it gives you a heavier flow,” he said.
Minister Croal also mentioned that the contractor that is constructing the Oronoque well is Morris Jeffrey, noting that the distribution works and activation of the new well are being done in-house by the GWI team.
