Contracts, said to be valued at over $110 million in total, were signed on Monday for water supply improvement projects to be done in Fly Hill, Kwaimatta, Shulinab, Wowetta and Aranaputa, in Region Nine.
The contracts were signed by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), the Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants Inc. (CEMCO) and the contractors in the boardroom of the Ministry of Finance.
In a press release, GWI said following visits to the communities, it made note of the need for improved water supply systems and reached out to the BNTF to assist with funding.
It further explained that the projects entail the installation of transmission and distribution mains, photovoltaic systems, new service connections and the construction of trestles, as the communities already have wells, two of which were drilled by GWI.
According to the release, the contracts for Fly Hill and Kwaimatta, valued at approximately $15 million and $10 million, respectively, were awarded to R. Kissoon and Son Contracting Services; the contracts for Shulinab and Wowetta, valued approximately $22 million and $27 million, respectively, were awarded to Alvin Chowramootoo Construction Services; and the contract for Aranaputa, valued approximately $35 million, was awarded to Faldhari Singh and Son Contracting Services.
During the signing ceremony, GWI’s Executive Director of Hinterland Services Ramchand Jailal was reported to have called on the contractors to execute their projects with the intention of gifting the communities running water in time for the Guyana’s 50th republic anniversary.
Afraz Ally, an engineer at Faldhari Singh and Son Contracting Services, noted that given the scope of works, completing the project in time for February 23rd, 2020 is realistic. Rudranauth Roopdeo, General Manager of R. Kissoon and Son, added that the majority of his company’s equipment is already in the region, so mobilising and executing are all it needs to do.
Meanwhile, GWI’s Managing Director Dr. Richard Van West-Charles urged the contractors to employ labour from the communities and to ensure the village councils and regional administration are apprised of their work.
