The law prohibits GWI to distribute water to squatting or un-regularized areas

Jun 24, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I express my disappointment as it relates to the non-publication of Guyana Water Inc.  (GWI) response to the Kaieteur News’ hypothetical front page depiction of the water company’s inability to provide water to residents in the Façade Dam area at Parika.
I believe as prudent advocators of the news we must be tolerant of the facts when it is presented especially when uninvestigated facts are presented.
The photograph published in the Kaieteur News on Tuesday June 16, 2009 which depicted residents from the Façade area washing their clothing in the river the old fashion way, was that of persons who are currently living in parts of the Facade area which is an un-regularized/squatting area, measuring approximately 1200m and comprising approximately 20 houses.
The Façade Dam is made up of three separate road reserves, which according to the local NDC chairman, are being held for the construction of a highway from Parika to Maripa. The reserves being held are Reserve 660, which is 40 feet wide; Reserve 661, which is 85 feet wide and Reserve 412, which is 66 feet wide.
The total reserve makes up a strip of land measuring 191 feet wide. The squatters who are occupying, approximately 100 feet of the existing 191 feet squatting area must be relocated to facilitate the construction of the highway.
This area is part of the World Bank funded project area under the Guyana Water Inc. capital project for 2009, but due the current challenge as it relates to the squatters the installation of Distribution Mains and Service Connections are being impeded even though there is an existing contract in place for the installation of 1.2Km Distribution Main along the proposed eastern road shoulder of the Façade Dam.
GWI has already commenced the installation of 1.2 Km of 200 mm PVC Transmission Main along the proposed western road shoulder of the Façade Dam. These works which are in progress will not affect the proposed construction of the Highway and the relocation of persons squatting on the NDC reserves.
The squatters must remove to allow GWI to progress with much needed works in the area. The law prohibits GWI to distribute water to squatting or un-regularized areas. Persons living on the reserve at Façade will have to get their act together if GWI is to respond tangibly to their water woes.
Rawle Aaron