I hereby vouch for the competence of Dr. Van West Charles

Oct 29, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Re: Ownership of the Sanata Well.
As a former employee of the then GS&WC, situated at Vlissengen Road, Bel Air Park, which is the official office of the GWI, my term of employment was for a period of 7 years (1979-1986) during which time I was attached to the Treatment Plant. Additionally, up to the time of my resignation, my portfolio was a Grade C-Plant Operator that enabled me to operate most of the outstations (wells) consisting of North & Central Ruimveldt; Turkeyen and Sanata. The Kingston well with the adjacent Luckhoo Pool, along with the other at the former residence of the late President, His Excellency, Linden F.S. Burnham, were Grade B. Visitations to both pools weren’t frequent, as it only entailed delivery of chemicals and servicing of water treatment related equipment.
Meanwhile, all Water Treatment Facilities (Plant & Wells) were manned by a daily 3 shift basis. Suffice it to say the Textile Mill was the first out station I worked at as a relief Operator Thursday-Saturday, 6:00 am – 2:00 pm. In the event of an operator reporting sick; annual vocation or sitting as a juror an assignment was made. Editor, as a consequence it remains mind boggling to have read in your publication of the ownership of Sanata Well is now in the hands of a private business entity.
Wouldn’t protocol and transparency in pursuit of prudent financial accountability dictate, GWI being made aware of the intended sale by the executing agency? And also continued maintenance and operation of the well, along with the consumers’ interest would have been addressed? How absurd that approximately the fate of 9,000 residents in the surrounding communities along with numerous, day care centres and schools, now lies in the hands of a business entity. Why is there a continuous deafening silence from the beneficiaries of the well, moreover those in the manufacturing sector?
Readily coming to mind are Continental Group of Agencies; Twins Manufacturing and Kissoons the pioneers of Industrial Site. BACIF of West Ruimveldt, the Fire Station; they are all of long standing from my time of employ. Additionally, among the residents are churches in Alexander Village. A pertinent point in question; is the Sanata Well, still under the jurisdiction of GWI, in relation to operators, chemicals and maintenance, if not, who are the operators and are they competent enough?
What is the capacity of the well i.e. gallons per minute; is it 900 or there about? Are consumers being billed correctly on a monthly basis and is it compatible to monthly operational costs or is it being subsided? To the CEO of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West Charles, as a former employee of GS&WC, I can attest to your competence, efficiency, and knowledge of Water Treatment and Distribution and Professionalism. Going down memory lane from a historical perspective, while you were the Health Minster, 1983, I can recall taking you on a guided tour of the Central Ruimveldt Well/Outstation.
Editor, what had impressed me most was his attentiveness as a keen listener, workers’ plight included. As a consequence, Dr. Charles is competent enough to function as CEO. That aside, also in 1983, which was after our brief interaction, Doc, stood up as a “colossus” to the might of former Mayor, the late Mavis Benn, completely ignoring the role of “party paramountcy of the day”.
Her Worship was furious a Sunday afternoon that the constant blowing of her chauffeur driven car horn, wasn’t responded to almost immediately. For public consumption, the location of the old Central Ruimveldt Well, was at a four corner junction, with vehicular traffic going east, west, north and south. Further, upon assuming the 2-10 shift on the ill-fated Sunday afternoon, the chlorinator was leaking, with no recording in the Report Book. Expressing my dismay I told the preceding operator, “include it your report and inform the authority by way of phone”. Thereafter, I proceeded to rectify the problem, devoid of safety equipment, which was conveyed to Her Worship.
First and foremost the potable distribution of water for residents was taken into consideration. The Tuesday morning appearing in front of the Chief and Deputy Engineer; PRO, Treatment Plant Supt: and Union (reducers) I presented my side of the story upon request. After being asked to be excused, the employers’ verdict unanimously, was “sorry, Comrade, the 7 days suspension imposed by the Mayor, for malingering on duty would stand. The personal intervention of the Health Minister, Dr. Van West Charles overturned the suspension to compassionate leave with pay for the corresponding period, with no problem to my personal file.
This was in defiance of the late Mayor’s political acumen. In retrospect a few years earlier, devoid of a party card I was denied attendance at UG, to pursue a Diploma in Analytical Chemistry. Bro. Charles please keep up the good work you have started namely: ensuring the waste water from filters washing on a nightly basis is discharged into the sewage system, which it was designed for, thereby, reducing the buildup of sediment into Church and Irving Streets canals. Further, re-examine installing 10-12″ gate valve, between the Clarified and Filtered Water Chambers; as an emergency measure to significantly enhance firefighting.
Former Chief Engineer, if his memory serves him well, may have a faint recollection of enabling a feasibility study to be undertaken for the establishment of a Water Treatment Plant on the East Bank, within close proximity of the Land of Canaan Conservancy, as the main source of water, since it is discharged into the Demerara River via a 5 door sluice. In relation to filtration, the mode of sand, with natural element zinc filings as a replacement is outdated. In the 80’s at Shelter Belt on Monday’s-Friday’s afternoon shifts, it was always a pleasure working along with a UG Senior Lecturer, Yusuf Ally and an Assistant; conducting experiments. My only regret, I didn’t take up his job offer when he was setting up a Water Consultancy.
Lester Sealey

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