The Guyana Water Incorporated has issued an early notice for parts of Central Georgetown that some areas will face a disruption of service in the coming weeks as work begins on the replacement of several crucial underground water transmission lines along Hadfield Street and stretching all the way to Water Street.
GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Sheik Baksh, was on-site this morning just outside the Magistrates’ Court where major repair works are taking place to an underground water transmission line.
Mr. Baksh explained that many of the transmission lines in the city are more than 100 years old, and with increased traffic, they are being damaged easily under the roadway. He said the new lines will cost more than $1 billion.
“For this project alone, we are spending over $1 Billion. We have already selected a contractor to replace these pipelines from Hadfield Street, going all the way to the Bank of Guyana. Already another project is almost completed, going from Lamaha Street to the Pegasus, about 95% completed, and we have a project to commence very shortly, so I want go give notification to the residents of Georgetown that there will be disruptions…it has to be dug up and new pipelines will have to be laid, its a massive programme that will cause disruptions”, he said.
The GWI CEO said already the water company has engaged the City Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Traffic Department about the various disruptions that will be caused as a result of the major works to be undertaken.
He said the project, which should last for about three months, is expected to commence within a week. GWI is expected to go on a public relations and advertising blitz to inform residents and other stakeholders about the project, since they could find themselves affected.
Mr. Baksh said a number of similar projects in other areas will be undertaken, and the utility company will do its best to get the work completed on time, with as little disruptions as possible.
Director of Projects, Marlon Daniels, said with the resources being made available by the Government, the project to replace the aged pipelines has to be undertaken. He said when completed, citizens of Georgetown will get an improved service with better flow and pressure coming through their taps.
“This is really a very important project and one of many phases…we are restricted right now that we cannot turn on the pressure by alot, but we will have a lot more with this project and thats why we have to bite the bullet and get this project done”, Daniels said.
The company has promised to keep residents updated on the progress with the various projects being undertaken, and the new ones that will come on stream later this year and early next year.
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