‘Continued dry weather can threaten Guyana’s food supply’ – PM

As the 32nd annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association Conference opened in Guyana on Monday night, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips urged all to focus on better ways of using and conserving water.

This is particularly important now, he said, because prevailing dry weather conditions have placed a strain on local water supply.

“The prolonged dry weather has led to arid conditions that have prompted appeals here in Guyana for water conservation.

“…The severe dry weather is concerning because if it persists, it can threaten our country’s food supply and the livelihoods of our farmers,” Prime Minister Phillips said at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown during the opening ceremony of the conference.

Cognisant of this threat, the Prime Minister said the Caribbean conference becomes even more “timely” and “profound.”

He urged the participants to seriously consider sharing ideas, strategies and innovations that would help countries deal with water shortages now but also the impact of climate change in the longer term.

He also reminded the gathering that Guyana is part of the Guiana Shield, a natural phenomenon that holds 20 per cent of the world’s freshwater supply. And as such, Prime Minister Phillips said stakeholders should not forget this precious, yet costly, resource that Guyana has.

Other officials said the government is keenly focused on managing the local water supply more efficiently while guaranteeing that people across Guyana have access to water in the first place.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Ramesh Dookhoo said the government is investing in improved water management across the country.

Such investments are necessary, he said, because the 28 treatment plants and facilities are “stretched thin” with population and housing growth.

“… GWI has commenced the implementation of a massive US$200 million coastal treated water programme.

“The programme aims to bridge the treated water gap by increasing treated water coverage from 52 per cent to 90 percent from 2022 to 2025,” he said.

And according to him, some 260,000 people or 65,000 households on the coast will get better water quality and levels.

Dookhoo also noted that efforts are underway to improve quality supply in the hinterland regions by 2025.