Dear Editor,
The purpose of this letter is to correct erroneous statements made in the article published in the Guyana Times on Thursday, September 27, 2012. On Wednesday, September 26, 2012, EMPRETEC, in collaboration with the CAWASA Inc made a presentation on Water and Wastewater Certification to representatives from water and wastewater related companies and organizations who were invited to attend. The presentation was held at the Campbell Room of the Georgetown Club. Guyana Times among other media houses was invited to cover this event.
The objective of the presentation was to introduce participants to the Operator Certification Programme administered by CAWASA, in collaboration with the United States based Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), and to generate interest in participating.
As part of the three-day meeting, EMPRETEC arranged for officials of CAWASA to meet with the management of Guyana Water Inc (GWI) for a similar presentation on Thursday, September 27, 2012.
CAWASA would like to point out that at no time did we extend any invitation for water and wastewater operators of Guyana to be signatories to the association. CAWASA is a utility-based organization and does not cater for individual membership.
Secondly, the article erroneously stated that there was a failure on the part of GWI to “buy into the initiative.” This statement is inaccurate because CAWASA officials had not met with the management of the GWI on Wednesday and therefore they were not required to buy into the programme at the time. In fact, the previously scheduled meeting with GWI officials which was held on the 27th generated very cordial discussions and substantial interest in the programme. Thirdly, CAWASA is promoting the programme in the region among utilities and water-related companies and chose to work through an independent organization. In Trinidad this approach has proven to be very successful and the same approach is being tried in Guyana using EMPRETEC. This was a strategic decision and is not in any way associated with what is described by the Guyana Times as “similar attitude portrayed….” by any utility in Trinidad or Guyana.
The article is disappointing in its content and is in no way a reflection of CAWASA’s intention and assessment of GWI’s position on the certification programme. CAWASA would therefore like to express its sincerest apologies to the Board and Management of GWI for any embarrassment the article may have caused.
Yours faithfully,
Victor Poyotte
Executive Director
CAWASA Inc
