Two new wells were on Friday commissioned at Hackney and Friendship in the Lower Pomeroon, Region Two, affording potable water to residents of these communities.
The wells were drilled by Guyana Water Inc rigs and saw a total investment of some $22.5 million. Drilling was completed earlier in the year.
Present at both of the commissioning ceremonies were Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues; Regional Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit; Prime Ministerial Representative, Arnold Adams; and GWI Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailal.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at Hackney Lower Pomeroon, Rodrigues expressed her delight at the rapid completion of these wells, which addresses the pressing need for potable water in the communities. She outlined government’s strategic plan, initiated upon taking office, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly ensuring access to clean water, adding that the Ministry has set a goal to enhance the quality of water along the coastland, making it pure and safe for persons to consume.
Rodrigues used the opportunity to commend the efforts of GWI staff and urged residents to ensure that they make good use of the investment. She also assured that the government will continue to support local communities.
A well was drilled to a depth of 88 metres, with 370 lengths of 50mm and 100 lengths of 19mm PVC pipelines installed to connect the well to the distribution network at Hackney. A total of 30 service connections for residents and two standpipes at the waterfront were installed.
Meanwhile in Friendship, a 78-metre deep well was constructed, with 520 lengths of 50mm and 200 lengths of 19mm PVC pipelines. The Friendship well features 26 service connections and three standpipes at the waterfront, along with perimeter chain link fences around the well site.
At both projects solar panels, pumps and distribution networks were installed.
GWI Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailal, called on residents to take ownership of these essential systems, noting ongoing drilling efforts in Moruca, Mabaruma, and Pomeroon at Malborough. He disclosed government’s intention to drill over 40 wells in the hinterland communities.
Oodit remarked that the region is happy for the additional wells in Region Two, especially in the Pomeroon River area. Oodit said that residents had requested them during a presidential outreach.
Godfrey Culpepper, Chairman of the Moruca-Providence Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), said that residents were exposed to salt water and as such, were glad for the intervention.
Over 250 residents living in the communities will have direct water connections with extensions reaching neighbouring villages.
“We are very thankful for these wells, it came at a good time especially when we had the long dry spell, we really suffer and this is a good move”, one resident said.
