Some 543 households in Section Three, Massara, Region Nine, have gained first-time access to potable water through the Guyana Water Incorporated GWI and the Ministry of Housing and Water valued at $21.6 million.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Housing and Water, this initiative, which it spearheaded in collaboration with Guyana Water Incor-porated (GWI), aims to enhance the quality of life for residents by ensuring that clean and safe drinking water is readily available.
The release said residents joined Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, Permanent Secre-tary Bishram Kuppen, GWI Hinterland Services Director Ramchand Jailal, and Regional Vice-Chair-man Bertie Xavier for the commissioning on Thursday last.
Minister Croal emphasized the government’s commitment to equitable development, particularly in hinterland communities, the release said. He stated that access to potable water was not just about convenience but also ensuring people live healthier lives and creating opportunities for growth. He also said that tremendous progress is taking place in Region Nine in education, healthcare, infrastructure development and other sectors, the press release stated.
It added that Kuppen praised the collaboration between GWI and the village council, emphasizing the importance of community-driven projects in enhancing the quality of life for residents. Mean-while, Jailal highlighted the efficiency of the new system, which has raised the village’s overall water coverage to 95%, and Xavier commended the initiative, noting the positive impact it will have on the lives of residents, the release said.
Massara Village, home to approximately 543 residents, is divided into three sections, each with its own system. Section One, which houses key facilities such as schools, health centres, and government offices, is served by a drilled well connected to an elevated trestle and distribution network, the release informed. Section Two, the most populated area, is similarly equipped with a drilled well and elevated trestle, ensuring a steady water supply, it added.
The previously unserved Section Three, comprising approximately 20 households, was prioritized in the recent project, the ministry stated. Through the collaboration of GWI and the village council, the new well was drilled, and the water supply improvement project completed in October. This initiative has provided 14 households with first-time access to potable water. This has increased coverage in the village to 95%. The remaining households are located in more scattered remote areas.