Latest update November 15th, 2024 1:00 AM
GWI to build $540M HQ at Houston
Kaieteur News – The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will soon build a $540M headquarters to accommodate 111 staff at Houston, Greater Georgetown.
This information was disclosed during a recent opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administrative Board (NPTAB). The site is located at Plot S10 Houston, Greater Georgetown.
According to the tender documents the construction is to be completed within 18 months and another 12-month defect liability period. The proposed design of the office building caters for three floors of a total of 16,875 sq. ft. to accommodate all 111 staff of various departments.
The proposed design includes all office spaces for: Hinter Development, Human Resource Department, Water Resource Unit, Projects Department, ICT Support Unit, Cooperate Service, CEO Secretariat, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Public Relations Unit, Business Development Unit, Public Relations Department, Audit Department, Visitors waiting room, washroom facilities, Conference Room, Printing Room, Driver’s Room, Electrical Room, kitchen, storage.
The amenities of the building are: asphaltic driveway/walkway measuring 12,056 sq. ft (first phase). The proposed building size is (75’ – 0” × 90’ – 0”). In addition, there would be security checks at the exit and entrance, garbage collect point, generator, fence, drainage network, landscaping works, waste water collection and treatment, and complete air conditioning system.
In this year’s budget, government announced plans for water transmission systems to be upgraded in areas including: Pouderoyen, Vergenoegen, La Parfaite Harmonie, Caledonia and Cummings Lodge. New wells will be constructed at Onderneeming, Lima, Central Ruimveldt, Cummings Lodge, Caledonia and Amelia’s Ward.
In the hinterland and riverine communities, Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh had said that last year 15 new wells were drilled in areas including Matthew’s Ridge, Arakaka, Kamarang, Itabac, Sand Hill, Maikwak, Kamana, and Taruka, benefitting more than 8,000 persons who are receiving service for the first time. Additionally, the installation of distribution network and the construction of an elevated storage unit with service connections also complemented the new wells that were completed. As such, the hinterland’s access to potable water supply has now increased to 75 percent, up from 46 percent at the end of 2020, and we are on track to achieving 100 percent by 2025, Dr Singh had said in his budget presentation.
He said too that in 2023, $1.4 billion will be spent on the further upgrade and extension of water supply systems and construction of wells in several hinterland communities of Regions 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. He said government targets an increase in treated water coverage for the coastland from 52 percent currently, to 90 percent by 2025. With this target in mind, in 2022, Government upgraded three existing water treatment plants located at Covent Garden, Grove and Eccles benefitting more than 60,000 residents. In 2023, he said the administration will advance works on the construction of seven new water treatment plants at Onderneeming, Parika, Wales, La Parfaite Harmonie, Caledonia, Cummings Lodge and Bachelor’s Adventure. Further, 12 existing water treatment plants located at Vergenoegen, Fellowship, Pouderoyen, Eccles, Covent Garden, Grove, Better Hope, Mon Repos, Friendship, Cotton Tree, New Amsterdam and Port Mourant will be rehabilitated. Water treatment plants will also be constructed at Charity to Walton Hall, Leguan, Wakenaam, Bush Lot, and Tain to No. 50 Village. These interventions will improve water quality for more than 250,000 residents, at a total cost of $13 billion.
Dr. Singh said too that since the PPP/C’s return to office in 2020, GWI has installed over 38,000 meters to reduce losses in the distribution system. It is estimated that non-revenue water will reduce from 65.2 percent in 2022 to 55 percent by the end of 2025, with the installation of 95,000 additional meters.
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