More than 600 persons will now benefit from access to potable water, with the commissioning of a $35 million Water Supply System at Sawariwau, South Rupununi, Region 9.
Minister Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, on Saturday, joined Permanent Secretary, Mr. Andre Ally, GWI’s Hinterland Services Director, Mr. Ramchand Jailal, Regional Chairman, Mr. Brian Allicock, Toshao Bernadine Fernandes, and residents of the community to commission the system.
Hon. Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water (center) enjoys a refreshing drink of water from the new system as (from left) Permanent Secretary, Mr. Andre Ally; a representative from R. Kissoon Contracting Services; Regional Chairman, Mr. Brian Allicock; and GWI Hinterland Services Director, Mr. Ramchand Jailal look on.
The current system serves 60% of the community.
Additionally, a contract to the tune of $2.1 million was inked with the Sawariwau Village Council to further expand the distribution network, which will ensure 90% coverage to the community.
The expansion to be carried out by the Village Council will see another 5km of pipelines being installed and approximately 35 new service connections. This is in addition to job creation, as CSOs from the village will be trained to carry out basic maintenance work on the water system.
Meanwhile, Minister Rodrigues, in her remarks, pointed out that the project is a commitment made by the Administration. After coming into office in 2020, it was found that only 20% of the village was receiving potable water from a hand-dug well.
Hon. Susan Rodrigues and officials are flocked by some of the residents at the commissioning of the new water supply system
Hon. Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, addressing Sawariwau residents
“We are always thinking of ways to improve our system and we always have your interests at heart,” she told the residents.
This and other investments in hinterland communities, the Minister said is reflective of Government’s commitment towards meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal NO. 6, which speaks to access to clean and potable water to all by 2030. Guyana is well on its way to achieve this target five years earlier.
This, she said is demonstrated in the significant annual budgetary allocations being made in all sectors.
A youth of Sawariwau
enjoys a refreshing drink of water from the new system
“All across the country, you can see work being done in every single sector for the improvement of lives,” the Minister added.
Also, on the occasion, the Regional Chairman lauded the Project and its timely execution, noting that this will significantly add to the rapid development taking place in Region 9.
“Region 9 is developing at a fast pace, and this is as a result of the government’s intervention, we commit to the promises we deliver,” Mr. Allicock said.
The project was executed by R. Kissoon Contracting Services and C&H Contracting Service.