Some 23 villages from No. 51 through to No.73 on the Corentyne are now benefiting from improved water supply as a result of the just-commissioned state-of-the-art Number 56 Village Water Treatment Plant at Corriverton.
The Region Six plant was commissioned last Sunday by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Japan’s Ambassador to Guyana Koichiro Seki along with Minister of Housing and Water Harry Narine Nawbatt, a GINA release stated. Also present were a number of the beneficiaries and stakeholders in the water sector.
The Prime Minister noted that the construction of the plant is yet another excellent example of good relations and cooperation between the Governments of Guyana and Japan.
And Japan’s Ambassador Seki said the provision of potable water is fundamental and now the communities will receive a safe supply of water at an efficient level.
He said further that the Government of Japan was pleased to contribute towards the development of the water sector and looked forward to assist in the second phase of the project.
The Guyana government in 2004 after recognizing the need to upgrade the quality of potable water supply approached the Japanese Government regarding its plans and it was decided that two water treatment plants would be constructed between Number 51 Village and Moleson Creek to alleviate the water problems in the areas.
Subsequently the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) provided a grant of US$12M to facilitate the two projects. Of that amount $1.1B was invested to facilitate phase one of the project which consisted of the construction of the treatment plant, transmission and conduction mains, procurement of 8,400 water meters and rehabilitation of the No.57 Village well.
Meanwhile, works will be conducted under phase two of the project to complete the construction of the water treatment plant at Queenstown, Corriverton. When that project is completed, GINA stated, the two plants will provide over 33,000 residents with improved water supply.
Minister Nawbatt commended the Japanese consultants and contractors for delivering on time.
