Residents of River’s View, a village located on the border of Region 10, now have improved access to potable water with the completion of a water supply improvement project to the tune of approximately $7M, according to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
This project was executed by a GWI in-house team in collaboration with the River’s View Village council and was funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) under the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme.
A release yesterday from GWI said that the works included the installation of almost four kilometers of pipelines, the upgrading of two wells and the installation of new photovoltaic systems in the community of approximately 1100 residents
“As a result, 70 percent of the community is now benefitting from improved or first time access to potable water. Of these beneficiaries, 334 residents now have access to potable water for the first time. The water produced by the wells have been tested and results show that it is safe for consumption”, the release said.
The project is in keeping with a promise made by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh during a visit to the community earlier this year upon an invitation from Village Toshao, Melena Pollard.
On Sunday, November 28, the system was commissioned by Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal.
Baksh, the release said, stressed the importance of community involvement in the execution of water supply improvement projects.
UNICEF Focal point for WASH/Climate Change, Gaulbert Sutherland in his remarks at the commissioning said that the organization along with its sister agency, the United Nations Development Pro-gramme (UNDP) was happy to provide funding for the project.
According to him, UNICEF’s partnership with GWI has focused on providing WASH services in the most vulnerable hinterland communities, including those that host migrants.
He said that the organization is happy that the River’s View Water supply system is solar powered, since this provides families with a higher quality of water while helping to reduce carbon emissions.
Pollard also used the opportunity to urge residents to care the system which is providing an invaluable resource to the community.
