With the financial support of local contractors, eight potable water wells will be drilled in the drought-hit Region Nine communities of Wowetta, Rupertee, Aranaputa, Kwaimatta, Marcanata, Shulinab, Potarinau and Kumu.
A release from the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) on Thursday said that work commenced last week on the wells.
Chief Executive of GWI, Richard Van West-Charles in the release expressed gratitude to all the contractors who contributed to the programme including Andre Webb Drilling Company, S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services, C.B. General Contracting Services Inc., Alvin Chowramootoo Construction Services, R Kissoon Contracting Service, Faldhari Singh and Son Contracting Services, B.K. International, H.J. Contracting Services, Satar Mohamed and Son Construction, Manohar Services, Dresden Geotechnical Services, M. Ahmad Construc-tion, John and John’s
Construction and Nabi Construction Inc.
Van West-Charles also thanked the business community and private donors for their contributions including Ganesh Parts and General Store, Renie Mitchell, Larry Bynoe, Olanie Husbands and Bibi Osman.
Local contractors involved in well drilling were invited to meet with Van West-Charles in early March at which point details were provided on the urgency of the situation in Region 9. Since then, GWI said that the response from local contractors and members of the private sector has been overwhelming with donations amounting to in excess of $8 million.
The GWI Chief Executive said in the release that in addition to the efforts by GWI and the private sector, the Brazilian Army and the Regional Administration are discussing initiatives to provide relief to communities affected by the prolonged dry season in Region 9. Meanwhile, as a gesture of gratitude, the local contractors involved in the drilling were invited to an appreciation meeting with Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams and Van West-Charles on Wednesday at the GWIL Corporate Complex.
The release said that Hastings-Williams personally thanked the delegation of contractors and stated that she was pleased with the response. “Indeed, the situation in Region 9 warrants our urgent attention and I am heartened by the response of our local contractors and the business community….I urge all Guyanese to emulate this level of cooperation and partnership as we work together to build the Nation,” she stated.
