Latest update February 12th, 2025 6:12 AM
Latest News
- In 5 years, Guyana gave up US$10B in taxes to Exxon and partners
- Govt. issues 30-day notice to terminate CGX, Frontera Corentyne Block licence
- Netanyahu threatens to resume Israel’s war on Gaza if captives not released
- Bartica teacher remanded for allegedly raping student
- Girl, 12, pregnant after stepfather allegedly sexually abused her and 9-year-old sister
No water, no lights say West Coast residents
Some of the residents from the Chateau’s Land community.
Residents of Chateau’s Land in Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara have bitterly complained about the lack of basic services which they have not been receiving for the past fifteen (15) years.
Villagers said that since they have been living in the area, no water or electricity has been made accessible to them.
The residents noted that numerous representations have been made at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), but proved futile, as, according to the residents, ‘the entities don’t seem to care about their well being.’
As it relates to the water situation, villagers said that they have to resort to using water from a trench, which is only a short distance from the community. It was explained that the water is unsafe and can only be used for doing laundry.
This, residents said, is really frustrating and is severely affecting them as they find it difficult to access ‘clean and safe’ water for drinking and cooking.
Villagers in the neighbouring community of Ocean Garden are receiving a full supply of water and electricity, and as such, residents in Chateau’s Land would have to ‘beg’ them for water.
The residents said that the villagers in the neighbouring community would sometimes be hostile in giving them water, as it was explained that they are ‘fed up’ of the begging.
In the meantime, Kaieteur News observed that a main line has been implemented from Ocean Garden to Chateau’s Land so that they can receive water, but according to the residents, although the line is there for the past two years now, water is still not accessible.
However, when contacted for a comment on the matter, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Karan Singh, said that the area is not connected to the GWI database.
Singh explained that the community is a non-regularized scheme, which is now being regulated, and as such since pipelines have already been laid in the area, he has instructed a technical team from GWI to visit the community to conduct an assessment so that the residents can receive water.
Meanwhile, already living a difficult life with no water available, the community is also plagued with the issue of not having any electricity.
Kaieteur News was told that the community is a lonely place and as soon as night steps in, residents cannot leave their homes.
Children attending school also have a difficult time studying, due to the unavailability of lights, and as such, resort to using candles and lamps.
“This is total nonsense…In this day and age, we children them gat to use candles and lamps fuh revise them school work,” one resident said. Efforts made by this newspaper to solicit a comment from GPL on the matter proved futile.
The community was once a squatting area, but has since been transformed into a housing area, due to the influx of persons in the community. (Fareeza Haniff)
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Are we better off today than we were before first oil?
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-If you had asked me ten years ago what I wanted for Guyana, I would have said a few things:... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
