The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) says it is offering assistance and technical advice to Mahdia and is working assiduously to restore water supply to the community in the wake of Tuesday’s protest outside the company’s office.
In a press release, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali again condemned the actions of the illegal miners who have repeatedly damaged supply lines and disrupted supply to the community. The minister said, “Damage was done to the water system in Mahdia by miners since April when we issued an initial warning. That damage was repaired by GWI; however the reckless disregard for the community continues as illegal miners have repeated[ly] destroyed distribution lines and mains, significantly affecting the livelihood of the residents.”
Ali said the company will cooperate with regional officials and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission to address this situation. He said too that a GWI team has been working around the clock since early October, “to repair all damaged mains and distribution lines in an effort to restore normal service to the community in the swiftest manner possible.”
While GWI has repaired all damage done to the mains along the road towards the Salbora Creek in April, the release said, water supply was again disrupted by illegal mining activities.
This affected several sections of the community which was forced to endure diminished levels of service.
According to the release, Ali said in order to protect the community’s supply GWI plans to replace the current PVC distribution lines with High Density Polyethylene mains.
He said that the hinterland continues to be a significant priority to the ministry, and “every measure will be taken to alleviate communities affected by poor water supply.”
Ali also noted that over $600 million has been invested to provide clean, safe water to hinterland communities over the past five years, benefiting 55,000 residents.
“I want to assure the residents of Mahdia that the team currently in the community will work until normal service is restored,” he said, adding that the company will continue to partner with community leaders to monitor the supply provided to the residents after this challenge has been resolved.
