GWI commits to ensuring equity, improved water quality

…as company celebrates 15 years

The Guyana Water Incorporated kicked off its 15th anniversary celebrations with a grand launch under the theme ‘Ensuring Equity and Improving Quality’. The theme speaks about the company’s vision to ensure all Guyanese on the coast and interior regions have equal access to quality water.

Addressing the gathering during the launch, on Thursday last at the company’s Head Office at Vlissengen Road and Church Street, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams, said this theme can only be realised when all customers are recipients of the same level of service.“When the quality service provided on the coastland is delivered in the same manner in the hinterland, only then can we definitely say that equity and quality have been achieved; but, until then, we have a long way to go,” the minister noted.
Minister Hastings-Williams called on GWI to recommit to its Mission Statement, which speaks to providing equal access to safe, adequate and affordable water and sewage systems to Guyanese living on the coastland and in the hinterland.
She said, “Be committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Six: for us to ensure access to water and sanitation for all throughout the length and breadth of our country.”
SDG Goal Six addresses issues relating to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, and the quality and sustainability of water resources worldwide.
Sharing his vision for the future of the water utility in Guyana, Managing Director of GWI, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, assured customers that the company plans to boost its production level and improve water quality and overall services. He informed those gathered that GWI will be adopting the approach of establishing a series of well fields in communities. Dr Van West-Charles also spoke about the company’s investment in the knowledge and technical capabilities of its engineers to enable them to drill wells.
In this regard, he noted that a number of technical personnel are benefiting from overseas training in cutting-edge well-drilling techniques.He said efforts are afoot to have, in the near future, equal access to potable water in all schools across the country, even as a number of integrated approaches will continue to be examined to ensure better tasting, safe drinking water. These include continuing the establishment of mini-laboratories that test the quality of water produced every hour.
He also underscored the importance of fairness and justice to the workforce and the customers, which will be a principal part of the company’s operations.
Reflecting on the past 15 years of GWI’s existence and beyond, Board Member David Dewar noted, “The strength of the old GS&WC was in the ability of Shelter Belt crews, including the Repair Shop, to keep the company functioning in hard financial times; and the strength of Guyana Water Authority was in their in-house ability to bore and service their own wells.”
GWI’s month of celebratory activities include school tours and exhibitions on May 9 at water treatment plants in the regions; an essay competition with the topic “Providing Equal Access to Quality Water for All in Guyana,” opened to children ages 9 to 14 years; and radio and television programmes. For staff, there will be dominoes, karaoke, football and cricket competitions; cookout; a grand fun day, and an awards and prize giving ceremony.
Also present at the launch were Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan and Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrel.
GWI was established 15 years ago, following a merger of the Guyana Water Authority (GUYWA) and the Georgetown Sewerage and Water Commissioners (GS&WC).