President Ali highlights improved access to potable water in indigenous villages

President Irfaan Ali on Monday highlighted his government’s strides to improve access to potable water in indigenous villages across the country.

More than $1.5 billion has been invested to improve water access in the hinterland from 2020 to present.

Some 20 new wells have been completed to provide service to more than 10,000 persons for the first time.

President Ali said since 2020, access to water has moved from 46 per cent to 63 per cent and his administration along with the Guyana Water Inc. intends to take that number to 75 per cent by the end of this year.

“By 2025 we must have 100 per cent access to safe and clean water by every village across Amerindian communities,” Dr. Ali said as he addressed scores of Toshaos and indigenous leaders at the opening of the 2022 National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

The Head of State said during a recent visit to Region Seven (Cayuni-Mazaruni) he was pleased to hear residents speak about the improvement in their water quality.

With 20 new wells already drilled, Dr. Ali said by the end of 2022 another 30 wells will also be drilled, taking potable water to never-before serviced communities and villages.

“This by itself is a headline story for any international media.

“Ensuring we have safe, reliable water is towards improving quality of life,” Dr. Ali added.

He said those affected by a lack of access to water in indigenous communities are mostly women and girls.

“They are the ones who have to wake up at 4 am to go and get water to do cooking. They spend hours just to secure safe water.

“When we can take away that lost time from women and girls, they can use the time to empower themselves and get an education…those are the aspects of these investments that we sometimes lose but when we speak about the quality of life this is what we are talking about,” he said.

Recently, 20 Community Service Officers (CSOs) from Kato, Region Eight, were equipped with the knowledge to carry out installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Guyana Water Incorporated photovoltaic pumping systems in their communities.

Hinterland communities that benefitted from first time access and improved access to potable water include:

1. Kamwatta (Region 1)
2. Yarakita (Region 1)
3. White Water (Region 1)
4. Matthews Ridge (Region 1)
5. Oronoque (Region 1)
6. Falls Top (Eclipse) Spring (Region 1)
7. Kariako (Region 1)
8. Rincon (Region 1)
9. Mora (Region 1)
10. One Mile (Region 1)
11. Kumaka (Region 1)
12. Santa Rosa (Region 1)
13. Barbina (Region 1)
14. Arakaka well (Region 1)
15. Baramita well (Region 1)
16. Waramuri well (Region 1)
17. Barima Nobo (Region 1)
18. St. Cuthbert’s Mission (Region Four)
19. Moraikobai (Region Five) – Over 1, 000 residents of Moraikobai are benefitting from new water service connections and an improved water supply, following a Government of Guyana investment of G$5M to upgrade the village’s water supply system.
20. Kamarang (Region 7) – 700 residents of Kamarang are benefitting from a new G$45 M Water Supply System.
21. Jawalla (Region 7) – G$40 M water supply system, First time access.
22. Kurutuku (Region 7) – First time access
23. Chiung Mouth (Region 8)- New water system provide 150 persons with potable water
24. Kato (Region 8)
25. Monkey Mountain (Region 8) – 500 plus persons accessing potable water
26. Mahdia (Region 8)
27. Kaibarupai (Region 8)
28. Taruka (Region 8)
29. Katoonarib (Region 9) – 400 plus residents receiving improved access to potable water
30. Potarinau (Region 9) – expansion to the water supply system
31. Parikwarinau (Region 9)
32. Toka (Region 9)
33. Shulinab (region 9) – Access to potable water for 400 plus residents
34. River’s View (Region 10) – 1100 plus residents now have improved access to potable water with the completion of a water supply improvement project.