Minister Croal – Govt aiming for 100 per cent water coverage in hinterland by 2025

The Government, through its national water strategy being executed by the Guyana Water
Incorporated (GWI), is aiming for 100 per cent water coverage in the hinterland.Housing and
Water Minister, Collin Croal, said although 98 per cent of the hinterland communities has the
infrastructure in place to supply potable water, only 70 per cent of the population has access to
potable water, due the layout of the communities.
He stressed that those with no direct access to potable water have to walk long distances to
access water or practise rainwater harvesting. “This is not the standard that our government
wants for its citizens,” Croal explained. He was at the time addressing residents of Lethem
during a recent housing drive in the town ship.   As such, he said as part of its aggressive
campaign to address the inequities in access to potable water, GWI will be expending $120M
forwater distribution systems. He said that this will also include new wells, a new water network,
photovoltaic systems and elevated water storage at Yakarinta, Rupunau, Katoka and Apoteri.
The housing and water minister announced that another $43M will be invested to complete new
water systems in Para Bara, Wichibai, Curicock, Jawari and Nappi through the Regional
Democratic Council. He pointed out that this year, more than $150M has been invested in
Region Nine alone to improve access to clean, safe water. This resulted in the drilling of water
wells at Shulinab, Shea, Annai, and Culvert City, Lethem to provide an improved level of service
and new service connections to more than 500 residents. He said 1,400 residents are benefiting
from the St. Ignatius distribution network which was upgraded to improve access to potable
water. A new well was drilled in Parikwaranau and the construction of a new water supply
system is nearing completion to benefit some 600 persons. He noted that the communities of
Toka, Katoonarib and Potarinau now have new wells which were recently commissioned with
distribution systems, benefitting 1,320 residents.
Minister Croal went on to note that under the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), the construction
of an expanded water supply system is being completed in Rupertee, Shulinab, Aranaputa and
Wowetta to provide service to more than 95 per cent of these communities. He disclosed further
that in the Lethem township, a new office is being constructed to house the staff of GWI and the
Central Housing and Planning Authority.  He said that the building is expected to be completed
by the end of December. “When this building is finished, residents of Lethem and its
surrounding communities will be able to access the services of CHPA and GWI without having
to travel to Georgetown,” Croal said.
He revealed that Community Support Officers (CSO) were also trained to ensure that the water
supply systems are efficiently managed and maintained within those communities. He noted that
similar works are being done in other communities in the hinterland Regions – One, Seven, Eight
and Nine. As such, during the first half of the year, the housing and water ministry spent $148
million to complete expansion works at Mabaruma, Barabina and Wainaina, Region One. This
includes the installation of electric motor-driven pumps at Mabaruma and Barabina.
Croal said that earlier this year, new wells were completed at Port Kaituma and Oronoque in
Region One. New wells will also be drilled at Baramita, Arakaka, Matthews Ridge, Khan’s Hill,

Wauna, Kwebanna, Huradiah, Waramuri and Manawarin using the same model as the one
existing in Region Nine.  He added that water supply systems are also being upgraded at Jawalla
and Kamarang in Region Seven; and Monkey Mountain, Taruka and Kaibarupai in Region Eight.