Approximately 60,000 persons across Guyana are expected to benefit from treated water as the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) on Wednesday signed contracts amounting to almost $6 billion for the upgrading of 12 water treatment plants.
The upgrading of the plants is in keeping with GWI’s ambitious programme to deliver treated water to at least 90 percent of the population within the next two to three years, GWI Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh said.
“These plants will be treating the water so … you can go to your taps and drink that water, this is the mission of GWI,” Baksh said at the simple signing ceremony at GWI’s Head Office, Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.
The 12 upgrades will benefit a number of communities countrywide including Vergenoegen in Region Three; Better Hope, Mon Repos and Friendship on the East Coast of Demerara; Eccles and Grove on the East Bank of Demerara; Cotton Tree on the West Coast of Berbice and New Amsterdam and Port Mourant in Region Six.
GWI also has a goal of providing safe and reliable water to the entire country, Baksh said, noting that GWI is on its way to provide 99 percent access to water on the coastal belt, and 100 percent to hinterland communities.
In October, 2022 GWI handed out $8.5 billion in contracts for the construction of seven new water treatment plants in communities along the coast. In the new year, GWI will embark on a pilot project and will be tendering for 10 new in-line treatment plants to be set up to test the plants.
These seven new treatment plants, 12 upgraded treatment plants and a new pilot project is expected to benefit 300,000 persons.
“The goal really is to ensure water reduces poverty levels in our country, targeting unserved areas, targeting new housing developments,” Baksh said.
Baksh urged the contractors to complete the projects on time and without delays but of high quality and using quality materials, noting that GWI has developed a quality control programme to monitor the projects.
