The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has acquired a $120M well drilling rig for the hinterland through funding from the Government of Guyana.
This rig was procured from Fox Trading in Brazil and has the capacity to drill beyond 150 meters in depth, within a period of less than two weeks, a release from GWI yesterday said.
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal on Saturday commissioned the rig in the South Central Rupununi village of Shulinab in Region 9, where drilling is underway.
This well will result in the extending of service to residents in the community who do not have access to safe water. GWI will also be collaborating with the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) for the installation of a new distribution network, elevated storage tanks, and Photovoltaic systems which will provide 24 hours of service to 95% of the community.
Croal said that the purchasing of the rig is a worthwhile investment as wells in the hinterland will now cost a maximum of one third of the previous figure.
He said that in addition to delivering water to communities, it is also important to ensure that it is of good quality.
Prior to the drilling in Shulinab, the rig was used to drill a new well in Culvert City, Region 9. This will provide more than 1,200 residents within the community of Culvert City and the surrounding areas within the township of Lethem with improved water service.
The GWI team will also be providing the communities of Shea and Annai in Region 9 with new wells before the end of 2020, the release added.
After completion of the new wells in Region 9, GWI is aiming to drill wells within the communities of Mabaruma, Wauna, White Water and Khan’s Hill.
