The water company has embarked on an upgrading programme for Annandale community, which will benefit from pumps and motors to assist with its water supply, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali told residents last week.
He made the announcement while he, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand along with PPP Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall met with the community.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) news bulletin, Ali in gave a brief overview of the interventions which are being made by his Ministry to alleviate some of the water issues in the area, telling residents that his Ministry is aware of the challenges faced by residents, especially as it relates to the issue of housing and water. Ali explained that there is a larger population to be catered for. “As it relates to the East Coast for example, we have to provide water facilities for in excess of 3,000 new households and existing infrastructures are being utilised to provide water to these homes the Minister said.
He outlined that a comprehensive programme has been outlined by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to address issues of delivery, pressure and quality of water supplied taking into consideration the expanded demands.
According to Ali, over the last four years, the GWI has spent more than $2B in the water sector on the East Coast of Demerara. This year more than $550M has been programmed for the sector. The Minister further stated that the GWI has embarked on an upgrading programme for the Annandale community where pumps and motors are being procured to assist with water issues. The equipment is expected to arrive within six weeks.
The installation of a bigger pump and motor will increase the pressure of water supplied to the communities. In the meanwhile, Ali noted that the GWI will distribute water to affected areas.
This year, development works will be conducted on the East Coast of Demerara to benefit some 58,000 residents. This includes upgrade of service connections and transmission links to Lusignan, Mon Repos, Good Hope and Plaisance to benefit 30,000 people at a cost of $240M and service upgrades to the Friendship pumping station to increase production in Annandale which will benefit another 28,000 residents at a cost of $17M.
A new well is also being constructed at Lusignan at a cost of $51M to benefit 2000 persons.
The regularisation of the Marshan Squatting Area was also raised by residents where they were informed by Ali that his Ministry is in the negotiating process with GUYSUCO to have the area handed over to the Ministry.
Meanwhile, Manickchand gave residents an update about interventions being made by her Ministry to assist with vulnerable groups in the society. According to the release, she told the residents that government is keen and interested in the wellbeing of its citizens and that there are many programmes being implemented to address their needs.
Among the concerns raised by the residents during the meeting was access to public assistance for disabled persons and pensioners. They were informed by the Minister about the procedures whereby persons can acquire public assistance adding that approximately 19,000 people have received the assistance in 2008.
