21st anniversary celebrations: “Water is crucial for healthy lives” – GWI Vice Chairman

…commits to providing 90% of population with potable water by 2025

While the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has managed to provide 97 per cent access to water across Guyana in its two decades of existence, the company has said that it is consistently working to improve customer service, employment opportunities and access to treated water over the next few years.
As part of GWI’s 21st anniversary celebrations, the company hosted a Health Fair and Blood Drive on Monday at its head office on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, where they not only promoted the health of their staff and customers but also signalled their progress and upcoming plans to advance their operations.
“Water is crucial for healthy lives and we at GWI are committed to and have a responsibility to ensure that 100 per cent of our people have access to clean, potable water,” said GWI Vice Chairman Dharaamkumar Seeraj, during the event’s opening ceremony.
Over the next two to three years, GWI aims to ensure widely available access to treated water by actively working to provide 90 per cent of its population with potable water by 2025.
The Government has already invested $14.5B this year to enhance and expand water services as plans persist to construct 13 new treatment plants across the country and upgrade 12 existing ones.
“We kindly request the understanding of the population as we actively strive to meet their need for clean, safe water,” said GWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh, emphasising the focus on improving water quality and service in both coastal and hinterland regions.
The hinterland regions are served through the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project, which provides residents with access to safe water and hygiene facilities.
Recognising the company’s improvement over the last few years, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony noted that reports from the routine testing performed by the Ministry on the water supplies following Food and Drug and Administration (FDA) guidelines are highly favourable.
“The water that is being supplied is well treated and the infectious rates for the spread of water-borne diseases have reduced,” Anthony said.
In addition to improving water access and quality to customers, Baksh noted that the company is also seeking to honour their employees’ contributions and improve their working environment.
Recently, new buildings have been constructed for staffers in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo), with offices in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and on the East Bank of Demerara being refurbished and equipped.
Efforts are also underway to secure further funding for professional development while the company plans to honour retired employees and 20 craftsmen who successfully completed an upskilling programme.
The Health Fair and Blood Drive on Monday was one of several activities organised by GWI to commemorate its 21st anniversary, with similar fairs and blood drives held simultaneously in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The events offered a range of services including dental checks, HIV/AIDS counselling and testing, vaginal swabs, glucose and blood pressure testing.
The Health Minister commended GWI’s commitment towards promoting good health, noting that the key to a wellness lifestyle is a balanced diet containing the right amount of nutrients coupled with regular exercise.
“We need to incorporate more natural foods rather than processed food into our diet, limit the consumption of sugar, drink more water, exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes, have a full eight hours of sleep, learn how to manage stress levels and build a connection with friends and family,” Dr Anthony advised.