Region Five residents urged to pay water rates-Minister Ali assures no increase in tariffs
Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2009
Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali today assured residents in Bushlot and Waterloo that there will be no increase in water rates but the water company’s plan is to ensure that it can sustain itself by 2012.
Minister Ali gave this assurance during a visit to the two areas to interact with residents and listen to their concerns and garner feedback on issues of housing and water supply.
He was accompanied by officials from his Ministry, the water sector and Chairman of Region Five, Harrinarine Baldeo.
“The only way the agency can sustain itself is by you helping us. If you don’t pay it is pushing us to increase tariff. If everybody take the responsibility they have and pay for the water they use, then we will have a more equitable distribution of the cost and we will be able to generate more money,” Minister Ali said.
Residents of the two communities voiced their concerns on issues of acquiring transports, non-occupancy of houselots and the possession of multiple lots by unscrupulous individuals. They expressed satisfaction with the water supply in the areas but were concerned about inflated water bills.
Minister Ali assured them that the issues will be addressed and mechanisms will be put in place to effectively deal with the matters highlighted.
From Left: GWI’s CEO, Karan Singh, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali and Region Five Chairman Harrinarine Baldeo (extreme right) and another official of the Housing Ministry at the Bushlot Secondary School, Region 5.
He informed that the GWI will soon be embarking on an aggressive campaign in the region to collect revenue and urged them to pay their water rates.
The Minister further encouraged and challenged the Regional Chairman to commence the campaign to ensure that residents pay for water services.
Minister Ali interacts with a Waterloo resident.
Part of the Ministry’s work programme for this year is installing water meters.
The metering programme is not a penalty but a measure to ensure that persons conserve and that they have equal opportunity and access to water, Minister Ali told the residents.
Meanwhile, GWI’s Chief Executive Officer Karan Singh said approximately $600M has been allocated this year for the Region which will soon benefit from a new water treatment facility.
In addition, to the facility the CEO said there will be the upgrading of distribution systems and installation of new service connections.
Bushlot residents
Approximately $75M will be spent and an additional $20M to upgrade and link the Bath settlement with transmission lines to serve the new housing areas that are being developed, Singh said.
Waterloo residents
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