Brazilian military training Guyanese counterparts drilling methodology

A team of 48 military personnel from neighbouring Brazil was received and officially welcomed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Monday in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The team will be drilling eight wells in eight South Rupununi communities, in a joint project with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and other local stakeholders, to provide water security to the villages during the dry season.
The military team will also host three days of training for members of the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and hydro-meteorological services, to familiarise them to the methodology of drilling in preparation for them to work side by side with the Brazilian military team.
“The whole aim of this operation is to have knowledge transfer. So, they will do

theory followed by supervised practical; then they will be required to drill two wells by themselves. Until all the participants would have completed 384 hours of training then they will be given a certificate. So, it’s a very rigorous training and a serious operation,” Director General (ag) of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig told the Department of Public Information (DPI).
The Brazilian Army Engineering and Construction Battalion (BEC) arrived in Guyana on Monday. The team is putting the final arrangements in place to commence drilling on October 4.
The project is a collaboration among 15 agencies and aims to bring relief to the named hinterland communities while the Brazilian engineers transfer knowledge to their Guyanese counterparts.
Among the beneficiaries are personnel from the Guyana Police Force, Customs and Immigration, and the Ministries of Public Health and Public Infrastructure.
The wells will be drilled at Aishalton, Chukrikednau, Karaudarnau, Achiwuib, Awaruwaunau, Maruranau, Shea and Baisahidrum and will have a depth of 250 metres (800 feet).
They will be handed over to the Government of Guyana on November 28.