A total of 57 persons were awarded employment contracts by the Guyana Water Incorporated, which would see them benefitting from a fixed salary instead of a stipend, to maintain the water supply systems in their respective villages.
The newly acquired service men and women along with officials
These men and women were selected by their respective Village Councils and would have attended a workshop on water supply systems maintenance.
With the upgrading of many water systems in the region, the service staff were required to be more thorough with their maintenance routines, catering to the wells, photovoltaic systems and distribution networks.
As a result, GWI saw the need to further train the service staff and offer them contracts.
Addressing the staff, Managing Director of GWI, Dr Richard Van West-Charles said there has been an exponential increase in works taken place from 2015 to date in water and other areas.
In the Hinterland in 2019 alone, 22 wells were drilled, alleviating the effects experienced during the dry season. It is for this reason; human capital is important to maintain development.
“GWI reviewed the arrangement for the servicemen and realised that more needed to be done to ensure successful outcomes. You will now be paid a monthly salary and be added to GWI’s payroll…You now have a responsibility for the health of the people in your village”, he stated.
The men and women are also being taught to take water samples and the results of the tests performed on them will be sent to the Public Utilities Commission.
Dr Van West-Charles said he looks forward to working with the newly contracted staff and seeing the improvements as it relates to water and sanitation in their village, as directed by the President of Guyana.
Executive Director of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailal noted that it is the company’s aim is to have systems that can provide easy access to potable water all year long. He added that the service staff will be equipped with the requisite tools to carry out their duties.
Many of the service men and women expressed gratitude to GWI for bringing them on board and for the works being done in their villages to enhance their water supply and ensure convenience in access.
During the workshop, the employment contracts were handed over by Executive Director of Human Resources Management and Development, Elvis Jordan.
GWI also invited representatives of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) to assist the staff with applying for the requisite documents needed to become employees.
