Dear Editor,
On October 22, 2013, I phoned the GWI to report the issue of sewage backing up into my yard, and I was given a reference number and was told that the information would be passed on to the relevant department. As it happened, the problem got worse, as the toilets in the house would need flushing at some point after use, and of course then the faeces would float up into the yard.
We decided to call again on Friday, October 25th, four days after the situation was reported. At this point we enquired as to when they would come, as the weekend was upon us.
We were advised that the truck worked on Saturdays but that they weren’t sure they would make it to come and assess the situation then, and hopefully have it rectified. I was therefore not surprised that Monday afternoon found us ankle deep in sewage waste, at which point we called again on Tuesday, October 29th to find out what had happened to the assistance promised after the reference number was issued.
We were told by the customer service assistant that the number had been noted and that the information would be passed on. Much to our dismay, our situation remained the same and so we decided to call again, and again the receptionist noted our reference number and assured us that the information would be passed on to the relevant department.
By now, I am sure you see where this is going.
In our frustration we called again on Tuesday November 5th, having given GWI enough time to respond to our request. It was now two weeks later, and we asked to speak to someone who would be doing the work to find out if/when they would be able to grace us with their presence, as we were battling with all the foulness of sewage in our yard/washing area. We were promptly told by the receptionist, who only wanted the reference number, that the persons responsible for the works were not available to talk to anyone nor did they want their numbers given out and that all she could do was pass on the information.
Again we waited. It is November 13, 2013, and by this time it has to be some miracle that the house is not floating in, what I can only describe as, the putrid underbelly of Georgetown.
To the GWI, we are asking kindly, since you will not take our calls, with the exception of giving/receiving the famed reference number, that you please visit us and rectify this problem as it is only getting worse with the onset of the rainy season.
Yours faithfully,
Nikita Clark
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Mr Timothy Austin, the PRO of Guyana Water Incorporated for any comment he might wish to make.
