8 hinterland communities to receive wells by year-end

─ Guyana-Brazil well drilling mission officially begins

The Guyana-Brazil well drilling mission, which will see the construction work of eight wells in eight South Rupununi communities, was officially launched today at the Lethem Amerindian Hostel.

Declaring the mission open, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon noted that this agreement between the governments of Guyana and Brazil is a clear signal of the strong 50-year friendship and diplomatic relations between the two South American neighbours and has the potential to bring unprecedented relief to the citizens of Region Nine.
Meanwhile, Colonel, Emerson Deni, Military Attache, BEC noted that in this project the Brazilian Army is deploying the sixth Construction Engineering Battalion from Boa Vista, which will be sending 48 military personnel the mission.
“The teams will begin the drilling wells in South Rupununi from October 4th with two drilling teams working ten days in two simultaneous locations… We will have other teams to set up the wells in the eight villages.” Colonel Deni said, “It is paramount that the communities have a regular supply of potable water all year round.”

Two of the wells will be drilled by the Guyana Defence Force.
Mayor of Lethem, Kerry Jarvis and Regional Chairman, Bryan Allicock both welcomed the project noting its necessity to aid farmers and ranchers with their produce and animals.

In 2017, a Complementary Agreement to the Basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation was signed between the Presidents of Guyana and Brazil, for the Brazilian Army Engineering and Construction Battalion (BEC) to drill eight wells.
The wells will be drilled at Aishalton, Chukrikednau, Karaudarnau, Achiwuib, Awaruwaunau, Maruranau, Shea and Baisahidrum and will have a depth of 250m or 800ft deep.
They are expected to be handed over to the Government of Guyana on November 28.