Georgetown : The 2016 National Budget has allocated $4Billion for the improvement and expansion of the water sector that will cater for the implementation of several initiatives.
Among the plans are the resuscitation of the National Water Council, the Non-Revenue Water Reduction Programme and the Dakoura Creek Watershed Protection Plan.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan during his 2016 National Budget presentation on Friday, explained that $1.6 billion was spent in 2015, to expand and rehabilitate the country’s water supply and distribution systems. This resulted in over 1,200 residents receiving potable water in Ann’s Grove, Angoy’s Avenue and Friendship, for the first time.
Areas that will be targeted for water supply and line distribution improvements and expansion in 2016 include: Canal Bank, Mabaruma, Baramita, Parakees and Port Kaituma, Region One; Hubu to Naamless, Region Three; Waikabra, Yarrowkabra, Area ‘C’ Golden Grove, Victoria, Lusignan, Le Ressouvenir, Vryheid’s Lust, Albouystown, and West La Penitence, Region Four; Belladrum, and Lovely Lass, Region Five; Itaballi, Region Seven; Paramakatoi and Mahdia, Region Eight and Tiger Pond, Region Nine.
More than 18,000 people are expected to benefit from these improvements.
Additionally, 11,000 people will benefit from the rehabilitation of water treatment plants at Cotton Tree, Region Five and Bartica, Region Seven. New wells are earmarked for Vergenoegen, Region Three and Lima Sands, Region Two while Sophia will benefit from a ground storage facility.
“We have allocated $2.0 billion for the drilling of new wells at Uitvlugt, Diamond and Sheet Anchor. Further, a programme costing $5.6 billion is being designed that will see new water treatment plants constructed at Friendship, Hope Estate, Bush Lot, Leguan, Bartica, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and other locations in Regions 2 and 6,” Minister Jordan stated.
Meanwhile, the sum of $200 million has been budgeted to continue the transformation and restoration of communities, while $319 million will be expended on the Solid Waste Disposal Management Programme. Government expects to conclude the National Solid Waste Management Strategy; establish an inventory of all future landfill sites; and construct a sanitary landfill site in Bartica.
“We intend to seek financing, through the UK-CIF, to complete Cell 1 of Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill, operationalise Cell 2, and upgrade sanitation facilities in the existing six townships,” the Minister added.
