Mahdia water woes…Housing Minister condemns actions of miners

Oct 20, 2011 News

Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, has condemned the actions of illegal miners who according to him have repeatedly disrupted the supply of water to the communities in Mahdia by destroying pivotal water service infrastructure.
The Minister’s remarks came one day after residents of Mahdia, backed by members of Red Thread, took to the parapets of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Vlissengen Road headquarters to voice their concerns about the water situation in Region Eight.
The Minister, in a statement, said that “damage was done to the water system in Mahdia by miners since April when we issued an initial warning…” That damage, according to him, was repaired by GWI.
However, he said, that the reckless disregard for the community continues as illegal miners have repeatedly destroyed distribution lines and mains, significantly affecting the livelihood of the residents.
Minister Ali has further advised that GWI will offer full cooperation to the regional officials as well as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to address the destruction of the water distribution system orchestrated by the illegal miners.
He said that a GWI team has been working round the clock since early October, following another phase of destruction by illegal miners, to repair all damaged mains and distribution lines in an effort to restore normal service to the community in the swiftest manner possible.
“While GWI repaired all damage to the distribution system along the road towards the Salbora Creek in April, water supply was disrupted once again by illegal mining activities. This affected several sections of the Mahdia community (and residents) were made to endure diminished levels of service due to ruptured distribution lines,” he pointed out.
In addition to assuring that GWI will work to restore normal supply, the Minister has advised that in an attempt to protect the community’s supply GWI plans to replace the current PVC distribution lines with High Density Polyethylene mains.
“The hinterland continues to be a significant priority for us,” stated Minister Ali. He added to that “every measure will be taken to alleviate communities affected by poor water supply” even as he said that in excess of $600M has been invested to provide clean, safe water to hinterland communities over the past five years. The programme has benefitted 55, 000 residents.
“I want to assure the residents of Mahdia that the team currently in the community will work until normal service is restored.”
“GWI will continue to partner with the community leaders and monitor the supply to the residents after this challenge has been resolved.”

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