Residents of De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara, who staged protest action last Wednesday are expecting improved service after the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) agreed to double the daily supply to the area.
The residents said they would be anxiously watching to see if this materializes while GWI in a release said that its officials met with residents following their complaints about the delay in receiving potable water.
The release said that the team listened to the concerns raised by the residents and registered them for immediate action.
Giving a background to the village’s water woes, the release said that in April last year a contract was signed with DIMTECS Incorporated to facilitate the construction of a new well to serve Meten-Meer-Zorg and De Kinderen and its immediate environs.
However, the contract had to be terminated for non-performance and the company is in the process of recovering its material from the failed agreement. The new contractor, Goldfield, was expected to be mobilised last week and the well is expected to be completed by yearend.
According to the release in 2002 GWI gained possession of the aged Meten-Meer-Zorg well, which was dug in the 1960s, from the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC) but it subsequently failed unexpectedly. In the interim, GWI opted to mobilise black tanks and deliver water to the affected communities each day. It is estimated that 9,000 gallons of water is distributed at a cost of $50 per day. The company announced that it has agreed to double this amount in an effort to alleviate the water woes of residents.
Another meeting will be held today with residents to monitor, assess and give feedback on the progress made. It was stated that the establishment of a new well and potable water supply network is part of the company’s ongoing programme to boost its services through improved infrastructure. The company also expressed regrets at any inconvenience caused to the residents.
