A new $7m water supply system was on Saturday commissioned by Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal in the community of Toka, Region 9, according to the Guyana Water Inc (GWI).
Accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Shaik Baksh, the Minister officially declared open the system that serves approximately 90 percent of the village.
A GWI release said that Croal told the Toka residents that government, through GWI, has been investing heavily to improve the livelihoods of citizens countrywide.
The Minister said that in Region 9 alone, $100.8 million is being expended, $32 million of which is being spent on projects in the North Rupununi that would improve water supply services there. These investments include the purchase of an additional drilling rig, GWI said.
Croal also announced that GWI and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will soon sign a memorandum of understanding that speaks to training Community Service Officers throughout the hinterland, to monitor and maintain the water systems.
Baksh said the realization of the Toka well is a result of the implementation of modern technology, following eight failed attempts in the past years. The CEO applauded GWI’s Hinterland Team for being able to successfully identify the current location for the well using geophysical logging and to drill at a depth of 88 meters. He said that the capacity to drill wells using in-house skills has resulted in many returns on investment within a shorter turnaround time and at a fraction of the cost to outsource.
The water supply system was completed in July, 2021 and was handed over to the Village Council along with tools and spare fittings for its maintenance. Toka, in the North Rupununi, has a population of approximately 300.
The project also saw the installation of 270 lengths of 50mm pipelines, stand pipes, solar panels, construction of a perimeter fence, Installation of a submersible pump, well discharge and construction of a reinforced concrete base to support two 650-gallon and two 450-gallon Tuff Tanks.
Previously, this community received water from an aged hand-dug well which was in a deplorable state, GWI said.
