30,000 solar units, 2000 water tanks for hinterland communities

The week-long National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference concluded on Friday, with President Dr Irfaan Ali reiterating the Government’s plans to deliver a number of solar units and water tanks in the near future within hinterland and riverine communities.
The conference was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, and offered leaders from Amerindian communities the opportunity to share their concerns and highlight priority areas to be addressed to ensure their development.
President Ali, during the closing ceremony, explained that immediate tasks include fulfilling the hinterland solar electrification project and improving water access.
“We’re acquiring 30,000 solar household units to be distributed to every household in our hinterland and riverine communities. We’ve commenced work in this regard,” Ali said.
“We are going to share with you [the Indigenous leaders] the delivery schedule with the assigned Minister that will come to your community to hand over the first phase of those units to the households,” Ali said.
Last year, the Government had announced plans to distribute 30,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) home energy systems in hinterland and riverine communities whereupon completion, would provide 4.5 megawatts of power across all administrative regions.
These units are to include a 160-watt panel, charge controller, battery, and other basic fittings, to ensure each household can independently generate electricity.
The first 1830 solar units reportedly arrived in the country in May, with the remaining systems expected to arrive between now and November.
The distribution of the systems will begin in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Further, the President also explained that investments will be made over the next 12 to 18 months to improve access to clean water within hinterland and riverine communities.
“In those communities to support our critical infrastructure, whether it is health centres, schools, community centres, or in areas where we have the houses in close proximity to each other, we are going to procure a further 2000 black tanks to support those homes and those families,” Ali said.
“And we are going to work to ensure that before the end of this year, those tanks can be in the communities,” Ali added.
The Housing and Water Ministry has been making efforts to improve water coverage within these communities, with plans to increase clean water access from 75 per cent to 83 per cent by the end of this year.
Under the Ministry’s 2023 work programme, a number of hinterland communities are seeing the drilling of deep wells, and extension of water supply systems and distribution networks. (G13)