Plans are in motion to drill 15 additional wells in several communities in the sub-district of Moruca in Region One in 2025, making potable water accessible to hundreds of families.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), this was announced by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during a visit to Moruca last week. He told the residents, “…before the year is finished, we will be somewhere around 85 per cent… For this year alone, we are drilling 14 wells [which are at various stages of completion]. And for 2025, we have another 15 wells that are planned.”
The release pointed out that some four years ago, access to potable water for communities in the sub-district stood at about 38 per cent. However, after a number of urgent interventions by the government, access to clean water currently stands at approximately 60 per cent.
The minister also disclosed that contracts have been signed to drill wells in every village along the Barama River at Kokerite, Chinese Landing, and Waikrebi, adding, “The challenge that we have right now… is that the water is very low along the Barama River; we are monitoring that.” He noted that the government may need to seek additional interventions for those communities if the issue persists.
Meanwhile, a well is under construction at Yarakita, which is scheduled for completion by year-end, and will provide 40 per cent of the community with potable water.
Since August 2020, the government has invested a total of $5.5 billion to deliver safe water to hinterland communities, and already, over 100 wells have been drilled. Further, in four years, over $1.6 billion has been spent to increase access to potable water for residents in Region One, and in the coming weeks, the region is expected to have 92 per cent coverage, the release added.
