Sixty percent of the residents of Quarrie, a village in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), are now benefitting from a new water supply system. The community, which previously relied on a hand-dug well that struggled to provide sufficient water during the prolonged drought, now has improved access to clean and reliable water.
The new well was commissioned by Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, who highlighted the importance of climate change awareness and urged residents to safeguard the system and avoid water wastage. Croal further emphasized the increasing need for wells due to the drying up of hand-dug wells.
According to a notice posted on the ministry’s Facebook page, the government has made improving water access in hinterland and riverine communities a top priority. Over the past three years, $3 billion have been allocated for this purpose, resulting in an increase in water access from 60% to 94% in Region Nine, the post said.
This year, $1.5 billion have been set aside for the Hinterland Water Supply Programme, with the aim of further increasing coverage in communities like Quarrie, it added.
It was also noted in the post that despite some households being unable to be connected to the system due to geographical challenges, Croal has promised interventions to address this issue. Stating that the first well had cost $12 million, he said the ministry intended to drill a second well in the future.
During the commissioning ceremony, Croal was joined by Regional Chairman Brian Allicock and Hinterland Services Director at GWI Ramchand Jailal, along with their teams. The new well, which was drilled with the participation of the community, now serves 60% of the village, the post said.
