Georgetown: President Donald Ramotar commissioned a new Well in Central Lethem, which is intended to improve access to water in the surrounding communities.
President Ramotar was accompanied by Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, Youth, Culture and Sports Minister, Frank Anthony and CEO GWI, Sheik Baksh among other officials who were in the Region for the annual Rupununi Rodeo.
In his remarks to the residents gathered, the Head of State noted with great satisfaction that the facility is operational, and expounded on the importance of access to potable water as a vital commodity.
“This is one of the reasons that the provision of access to water in every area, is a top priority for the Government in the Rupununi; the community is a microcosm of what is taking place in the rest of Guyana it is growing by leaps and bounds, particularly in areas like Tabatinga where there is a huge population and where another facility like this one was set up, ” President Ramotar explained.
He said too that Government anticipates that development in the area will continue and thus, the provision of water and other services become imperative.
The Head of State also pointed to the expansion of farming in communities in the region along with the development of new housing areas, which will result in increasing demand for water.
On this note, he reminded of continued investment over the years in the water sector which have benefitted hundreds if residents over the years.
He said, "It (availability of water) is easing a lot of pressure as people once had to go long distances for water; this is making an improvement in their lives. We hope to have 100% coverage as early as possible , though we have achieved some 98% coverage and in the interior we have moved from 25 % to now 71% hope to increase this figure.”
Meanwhile, Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali told those gathered that the continued investments in the Water Sector , which lead to the improvement of lives across the country, is as a result of the drive to deliver on the Manifesto promises of President Ramotar.
“President Ramotar made a lot of commitments in the manifesto in relation to water and the development in Lethem. The commitment was to have 100% coverage in terms of each village having a solar powered well. In lethem we had to invest in this new facility taking into account the rapid development and expansion,” Minister Ali divulged.
Ali said too that the added capacity of the new well would also cater for an increase in demand that lethem is necessitating because of its economic role in the overall economic development of Guyana.
Minister Ali explained too that he is very pleased that President Ramotar has expressed commitment in terms of coordination of the Lethem development under the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, by the appointment of a Lethem Development Authority.
The President also committed to setting aside monies to upgrade the industrial estate, $190 M was set aside in the 2014 Budget for the development that would see asphaltic concrete road installed , Minister Ali reminded.
The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Housing and Water continues to invest in the improvement of water sector in hinterland communities.
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