$268M infrastructure works underway at Amelia's Ward
--- Minister pleased with housing project pace
Guyana Chronicle
January 26, 2004
INFRASTRUCTURE works costing at least $268 million are moving steadily at Amelia's Ward - and Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Shaik Baksh, is satisfied that contractors are executing the projects in good time and to specifications.
The infrastructure works are part of Amelia's Ward Phase One, in which a road network costing $207 million is being built and pipelines to the tune of $61 million are being laid in the Linden community.
The Minister visited the area on Friday.
About 45 percent of the pipeline laying had been completed. The remainder is scheduled to be completed in April.
At Amelia's Ward Phase Two, a number of roads will be built this year to allow access to the lots in the area.
The Minister visited several squatter settlements that will be incorporated under the Squatter Regularization Programme this year: Lower Cara Cara, Industrial Area (East), Wisroc 590C, Amelia's Ward South, Surapana and Canvas City. Block 22 Blueberry Hill is already under the programme.
The Minister also visited the Blueberry Hill water project and expressed dissatisfaction with progress there, since some areas are not receiving water. He said he had instructed Guyana Water Incorporated to ensure that the project was completed as soon as possible so that residents in the areas could receive a proper supply of water.
The first Water Action Committee was established at Blueberry Hill. The committee will liaise with the ministry to sort out grievances and ensure that areas enjoy a proper water supply.
The contract amounting to $4M was awarded to Toolsie Persaud. It covers the installation of a new transmission line to Block 22, Linden, to improve the level of service in that area.
The project, which is being funded from a recent $200M European Union grant, is expected to ensure that the level of service will improve significantly in the affected areas. The project entails the installation of new mechanical and electrical facilities at the WISROC Water Treatment Plant.
The project design caters for additional future households to be connected to the water distribution system since Blueberry Hill and Block 22 are expanding housing areas.
Minister Baksh also met approximately 50 pensioners and discussed with them the reduction of water tariffs for pensioners in the area. He outlined the procedure for residents of Linden.
The Minister urged residents to ensure that they pay their water rates so that GWI could continue to maintain and improve water supply. (Government Information Agency)