Latest update April 28th, 2026 12:30 AM
Strict supervisory oversight for road repairs – GWI
By Rabindra Rooplall
Private contractors attached to the Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme (GSIP)
The damaged carriageway on Light Street that is to be repaired.
are now in a position to repair roadways which were excavated for the rehabilitation of the sanitation infrastructure, according to Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
Some of the roadways damaged by excavation include Hadfield and Haley Streets, Sussex, Forshaw, New Market, Regent, Barrack, Quamina, Waterloo, Wellington, Smyth and Light Streets.
GWI had said that the delay in the execution of road repairs was because of the inclement weather and the shortage of road materials.
According to the utility company, currently, civil works related to the GSIP have been accelerated. This has resulted in substantial completion of the rehabilitation of Delivery and Force Mains which are vital to the Georgetown Sanitation System.
The company yesterday began decommissioning old sewer mains to facilitate activation of the new sewerage system which was recently rehabilitated under the programme. This will be followed by the activation of the rehabilitated Force and Delivery Mains as well as 24 refurbished sewer pump stations. This exercise may result in a temporary interruption of the system. In addition, there has been complete replacement of the 5.5 km sewerage ring main in Georgetown, the replacement of all delivery mains.
However, GWI and the Ministry of Public Works are collaborating to ensure that road repairs are executed in accordance with the requirements of the contract and high standards of quality.
The utility is executing full measures to ensure that the contractors (S. Jagmohan/Nabi Consortium) execute the works in compliance with the technical and environmental requirements of the contract to ensure the highest quality of the finished infrastructure.
Strict supervisory oversight of the works will continue in collaboration with GITEC/E&A Consultants to ensure attainment of quality deliverables of the project.
Upon completion of the programme, expected in the third quarter of 2014, Georgetown residents can expect a significant reduction in sewage overflows and an overall improvement of sanitation and hygiene in Georgetown.
GWI is the Executing Agency for the Government of Guyana and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded GSIP.
The utility had recently hosted a seminar on the ‘Care and Maintenance of the Georgetown Sanitation System’ for members of the business community. The aim of the seminar was to foster a long-lasting partnership with the Georgetown business community for the effective management of the sanitation system. Speakers included Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Water, Emil McGarrell who urged businesses to utilize their corporate social responsibility programmes to assist in the improvement of sanitation in Georgetown.
The seminar is a key component of the GSIP which was initiated through an agreement between the Government of Guyana (GOG) and the IDB for the sum of US$10M for the improvement of the operational performance of the Georgetown Sewerage System.
The loan was also to enable GWI to improve its financial performance by replacing or upgrading pumps so that they consume less electricity – one of the utility’s major operating expenses.
This contract was signed on December 8, 2010 and is a continuation of the first phase of the rehabilitation of the sewer system where US$2M was expended to undertake rehabilitation works.
Finally, the loan was also to pay for activities to strengthen the capacity of GWI’s Wastewater Management Division and its Energy Efficiency Group. These will include development of an asset management implementation strategy; knowledge transfer and staff training programmes on wastewater operation and maintenance practices and energy use; and public awareness campaigns, specifically targeting schools and business owners.
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