Sophia residents called to reclaim dignity of community

…as water, roads, power supply commissioned

With improved infrastructure and seemingly upward move for an improve way of life, residents of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, have been called upon to reclaim the dignity of the community.

President David Granger made the call on Friday when he joined with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Public Infrastructure Ministry to commission the Sophia water production and distribution, and upgraded infrastructural works (roads and power supply).

Between water supply and road works over a two-year period, some $865 million was pumped into the community, with additional works slated to continue.

Community members gathered at the new highway double corner, where President Granger and other Government officials addressed them.

Expressing his satisfaction at the progress made so far, Granger urged residents to work towards reclaiming the dignity of the community, which he said was eroded overtime. He said Sophia is known to be an urban legend and a “saga of suffering, struggle and survival.” And while it is the largest ward in Georgetown with over 21,000 residents, it is in fact the poorest.

“But do not believe that Sophia is a slum; do not tell yourself that Sophia is a shantytown, or a squatter settlement, it is part of Georgetown,” he told he residents. He said Sophia must reclaim and establish its dignity, by building a community spirit. “You have the size, you have the talent and we will help you to get the resources,” he promised.

The President said that Sophia, which was once said to be the “greenbelt”, has over the last 36 years seen much degeneration.

President Granger said Sophia has to stop being a collection of people from across the country and become a community of people, “a place where you children and old folks will be happy.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the GWI, Dr Richard Van-West Charles, told residents that the mission of GWI remains “to deliver safe, adequate and affordable water and to ensure safe sewerage systems for improved public health and sustainable economic development.”

The new water production and distribution system supplying the community was completed at a cost of some $44 million.

Also speaking at the commissioning ceremony was Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson who reported a sum of $825 million over a 21-month period being used for the rehabilitation of the ring road in the community.

He said he was pleased to be associated with the provision of lights and roads.

He said there are still much more to be done as there are several cross streets in the community that need to be done.

Following the official ceremony, President Granger and his team walked a stretch of the ring road before turning on to the water production and distribution system where he cut the ribbon.