Latest update August 6th, 2026 12:35 AM
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Lethem well cost $12M
– work commences on another for commercial zone
The water well, which was recently commissioned in Central Lethem, Region Nine was constructed at a cost of $12M. It was funded by the Government of Guyana.
This was confirmed yesterday by Public Relations Officer of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Timothy Austin.
In a brief interview with Kaieteur News, he explained that the well will serve approximately 500 residents.
While there are existing water services, the new well was needed to boost, and make the existing supply of potable water to Central Lethem more efficient.
The well was commissioned on Saturday last by President Donald Ramotar, who was accompanied by Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali; Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai; Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony and GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh.
According to Austin, the well only comprises a service station and not a treatment plant. “That is why it costs less. It is not the regular treatment plant; it is just a service station. So while the other wells would cost close to $60M, this one cannot.”
The GWI official explained that the construction was done by a Brazilian company that was working along with local contractors. He said he could not recall the name of the Brazilian entity.
Austin stated that the aforementioned cost covered the drilling aspect, installation and purchasing of an electrical panel, the construction of the fence and a kiosk.
“This well is not the first, but it was constructed as a means of boosting water services in Lethem,” Austin said.
During the commissioning of the well, President Donald Ramotar stressed the importance of water for domestic purposes and for industrial, manufacturing and developmental use. The Head of State announced that plans are on stream for another well.
Austin subsequently said that this one is expected to serve the commercial zone, noting that the paper works have already started for construction to begin.
The GWI Public Relations Officer told Kaieteur News that the well might very well be completed by the last quarter of this year.
President Ramotar explained the move to have another well built, noting, “We are already seeing new developments in this Region -large scale farming, in Lethem we have been investing a lot in the water sector, in 2009 we invested $17 million; 2010, $58 million; 2011, $47 million; 2012, $25 million, and last year $28 million.”
Additionally, the Ministry of Housing and Water will be investing in installing solar driven wells in hinterland villages.
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