– PUC to mediate

A High Court judge yesterday ordered the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to reconnect water supply to all properties under the control of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

The M&CC filed an ex-parte application in the High Court after the GWI disconnected its water supply claiming arrears of $87 million.

Justice Winston Patterson, who heard the matter in Chambers, ordered GWI to ensure the uninterrupted supply of water to all M&CC properties: City Hall compound at Avenue of the Republic; the Municipal Abattoir at Water Street and the Bourda and Stabroek Municipal markets. An injunction was also granted in the M&CC’s favour, restraining GWI from interfering with or disconnecting the water supply of any of the properties under control of the M&CC. Justice Patterson also ruled that GWI is to continue negotiations with the M&CC in order to resolve the matter.

A summons was issued to the GWI to attend the next hearing of the matter scheduled for May 27.

M&CC Public Relations Officer Royston King said the council was also suing GWI for the monies owed to M&CC for services done for the water company.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, Justice Prem Persaud told Stabroek News yesterday afternoon that the PUC would be stepping in to act as a mediator in the negotiations with the two entities.
Efforts to contact GWI yesterday for a comment proved futile……