I advocate for privatization of the water sector

Jun 12, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
I would be happy if you allow space in your newspaper to publish this letter. I refer to the recently carried article under the caption, “GWI blames contractor for faults”. This is with reference to the poorly managed Linden water supply project. I made every effort to resist responding to this exhibition of engineering incompetence and lack of any sense of direction.
When you have a situation like the one that exist at Linden, which is representative of a failed investment, it is only reasonable for the entity (GWI) to acknowledge that the water utility company needs to reinforce its engineering capability. In other words you cannot measure what you do not know. This project has been an embarrassment to the Government and people of Guyana.
The reality of the situation is that the true process of a water treatment facility is dependent on the output from the filter, which has a relationship with the backwashing frequency and hydrostatic pressure on the filter bed. To derive favourable results in this regard, expertise in hydraulic modeling is essential and is considered to be inescapable. It is an insult to one’s intelligence to read reports that seem to suggest that GWI has done an excellent job, but their efforts have been sabotaged by contractors who were supposed to be supervised to ensure value for money.
What is depressing and frustrating is whilst mention was made by the CEO that additional funds will be required to correct the perceived deficiencies, no reference was made of a strategic plan to enhance the utility’s system design and project management capability. Many of us have the false perception that water treatment, transmission and distribution is just about water passing through conduits.
This misconception has cost us over the years, resulting in the provision of subvention by central government to a sector, if managed properly, has the potential to generate much needed revenue, thus positively impacting on the country’s GDP.
Instead, GWI seems more concerned about convincing consumers at Linden that it has nothing to do with the poor quality of water service provided. As a consumer I am not interested in blame and mind control games, which seem to be the only expertise that GWI has at its disposal.
The composition of the recently appointed board, with exceptions of course, presents a dismal and predictable future. I believe this is an opportunity for my government to intervene and save the industry.
I was really sadden by the departing comments/sentiment of the previous Chairman of The Board of Directors, “I cannot serve the people of Guyana to the best of my ability, being a rubber stamp chairman” In the above context, the consumers in Linden and Guyana at large need to recognize that whilst a monopolistic situation exists, water is an essential commodity that impacts one way or the other on their social and economic life. Privatization of the water sector is therefore imminent.
Hector Lambert

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