Pensioners are set to enjoy an ease in the cost of living with the announcement that they will receive 2,000 gallons of water (ten cubic meters) free of cost from January 1 in keeping with budgetary provisions.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) release on Monday, this announcement was made by newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh. The CEO explained that the ten cubic meters of water is equivalent to five, 400-gallon black tanks, which he posited is sufficient to last a pensioner and partner for one month. Anything over that amount will be billed.
“We estimated that consumers were paying VAT [valued-added tax] in excess of $35 million a month, so this is a big relief for all consumers, especially the pensioners. That is why this Government saw it necessary to reinstate free water of ten cubic meters,” Baksh was quoted as saying.
However, it was pointed out that the free water is only for the benefit of metered pensioners and those with outstanding water bills are urged to visit GWI’s head office to have them cleared since the relief measure is not retroactive.
Prior to 2015, pensioners had been receiving free water, the release informed.
