$200M for Linden water supply
First phase promised in nine months
By Oscar P. Clarke
Stabroek News
April 4, 2003
The European Union (EU) and the Government of Guyana yesterday signed a $200M agreement for the rehabilitation of several water systems in Linden.
The first phase of the work is to be undertaken by Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) and is expected to commence almost immediately with the purchase of new pumps and the replacement of old equipment.
Targeted improvements to the Blueberry Hill area include the procurement of raw water and pumps at the Wisroc water treatment plant and the replacement of 200 mm diameter pipes with those of 250 mm.
Wisroc’s elevated tanks will also be refurbished and the booster pump replaced among other improvements. The first phase will also see the construction of an aerator at the Amelia’s Ward water treatment plant.
Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh, in remarks at the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Finance boardroom yesterday said the upgrades and rehabilitative work would target Blueberry Hill, Wisroc and Block 22.
Phases two and three which are to proceed later will see the development of a GWI-conducted technical audit of the existing treatment plants to determine their suitability. It is also hoped to have a contractor procure and install the essential electro-mechanical equipment for the respective treatment plants at Wisroc, West Watooka and Amelia’s Ward with the possibility of including those at Wismar and McKenzie.
EU Delegation Head, Vincent de Visscher, said GWI had given a commitment to complete the procurement, installation and commissioning under the first phase within nine months.
He acknowledged the need for customers to play their part by paying tariffs.
Following the signing Stabroek News spoke with Minister Baksh about the current water woes in Linden.
He mentioned the $50M already pumped into rehabilitating some of the systems which would be boosted by the additional funding. He added that the power situation in the community and throughout the country was affecting the distribution of water.
With respect to the current sums owed to the Linden Power Company by the former Guyana Water Authority, now GWI, he said meetings were being arranged to discuss the issue.
LPC had cited the non-payment of some $22M owed to it by the water company as a factor affecting its revenue stream.
