Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is calling on residents of Sophia to have their water service regularised, warning that customers without accounts will not benefit from the new $101M well station at Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown.
GWI said in a press release that despite previous appeals by the utility since the facility was commissioned in October, the response from Sophia residents has been poor.
According to acting Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Nigel Niles, the corporation has received numerous queries about new service connections in Sophia but customers have not being visiting the office to apply for connections or to adjust their existing accounts.
“GWI cannot grant a customer access to water without proper documentation and an account on our database,” he explained.
Prior to the commissioning of the new station, GWI offered Sophia residents an opportunity to sign up for new connections without having to pay the mandatory fee of $1,000.
“Despite our ‘Sign Up for Free’ promotion for residents of Sophia, the response was not what we expected. Many customers did not take advantage of the waiver. However, we continue to appeal to residents to visit our commercial office in order to receive a new service,” Niles is quoted as saying.
The Cummings Lodge Well Station has provided over 15,000 residents of Cummings Lodge with potable water as well those in A, B, C, D and E Fields, Sophia, the release stated.
While the connection fee waiver has ended, customers are urged to visit GWI’s Commercial Office on Vlissengen Road, Bel Air Park, to sign for a new connection. In order to sign up, customers must present proof of ownership (lease, tenancy agreement, transport and power of attorney), ID card or other utility bills, the release said.
GWI contractors and teams have commenced the installation of new connections in Sophia and residents are encouraged to regularise their service before completion of the project.
Residents can receive advice on regularising their service by contacting GWI’s Customer Service Call Centre on telephone number 227-8701 or via e-mail: customercallcentre@gwi.gy
