More than 600 persons will now benefit from access to potable water, with the commissioning of a $35 million Water Supply System at Sawariwau, South Rupununi, Region 9.
Minister Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, on Saturday, joined Permanent Secretary, Mr. Andre Ally, GWI’s Hinterland Services Director, Mr. Ramchand Jailal, Regional Chairman, Mr. Brian Allicock, Toshao Bernadine Fernandes, and residents of the community to commission the system.
The current system serves 60% of the community.
Additionally, a contract to the tune of $2.1 million was inked with the Sawariwau Village Council to further expand the distribution network, which will ensure 90% coverage to the community.
The expansion to be carried out by the Village Council will see another 5km of pipelines being installed and approximately 35 new service connections. This is in addition to job creation, as CSOs from the village will be trained to carry out basic maintenance work on the water system.
Meanwhile, Minister Rodrigues, in her remarks, pointed out that the project is a commitment made by the Administration. After coming into office in 2020, it was found that only 20% of the village was receiving potable from a hand-dug well.
“We are always thinking of ways to improve our system and we always have your interest at heart,” she told the residents. (Ministry of Housing and Water release.)
