Water crisis at Hand-en-Veldt an unfair situation

Dear Editor,
We are witnessing a mere trajectory of how our beloved utility company operates. We, the residents of Hand-en-Veldt, Mahaica, have been without potable water supply for over a decade. Despite several pleas to the previous Administration (Government and Management of the GWI), nothing was ever done.
With the change in Government in 2015, we thought things would have been different. Several pleas were made since 2015 to date, however, it was not until recently that we met with the divisional administration and received support from them. The division undertook the works assiduously, and completed all of the tasks relevant to have the supply done. It’s been almost 4 months now, and still we are yet to receive the service.
We visited the division several times during the last week, and tried to meet with the divisional manager, only to be told that this person was not in office. We proceeded to inquire from other managers in the division, but they are “tight-lipped” about the situation and are not providing us with answers. We were advised to write to headquarters regarding the same issue.
However, this is amazing. Is it really true that the central headquarters are not aware of our woes? Multiple letters were sent over the years to address this issue, until we practically became frustrated. However, what must be recognised are the politics addressed, and how the situation was treated.
It is incredible that after one (1) day of heavy protesting and barricading, the residents of Mara reportedly received the service within 24 hours; and here we are pleading for over a decade and our voices are placed in the wilderness.

We have several residents here, and many more who want to join in building their homes, but have not done so due to not having access to potable water. We are forced to pay $700 for 250 gallons of water to wash, cook, clean and drink. A typical household comprises 4 to 10 persons of differing ages and characteristics. Many of us are peasant farmers with little children who have to go to school, and even pensioners, and we have to be using water from the canal for personal and hygienic needs. Should this still be happening in the year 2017? I don’t think this is fair. And aren’t we Guyanese, just as the residents of Mara?
In my view, I do not think President David Granger or Minister Bulkan is aware of this matter; because otherwise, I am sure, we would have already received the service. We are therefore pleading with the relevant authorities to remedy our situation.

Residents of Hand-en-Veldt, Mahaica