Voice of Guyana International

Press Release – World Bank

The World Bank’s Board of Directors approved today an $11.3 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) for Guyana to increase access to safe water among the poor.

“This project supports the Government of Guyana’s priorities of increasing access to safe water and sanitation services to the poor, and improving the institutional framework in the sector,” said Caroline Anstey, World Bank Director for the Caribbean. “In addition, the grant will play an important role in helping Guyana achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 by extending access to safe water to 48,000 people.”

The Water Sector Consolidation Project seeks to support the achievement of sustainable universal access to safe and affordable water for the population of Guyana, especially the poor. The project will also help to consolidate the water sector modernization and reform process undertaken by the Government with support of the International Development Association (IDA) and other donors in recent years.

Specifically, the project will support the following components:

Finance a capital investment component for the construction and rehabilitation of three water supply infrastructure subprojects, which will provide access to treated water to more than 48,000 people.

Improve levels of service to low and medium income housing schemes already connected to the service.

Provide the technical assistance needed to enable the modernization and financial sustainability of Guyana Water Incorporated, and allow for the sustainable development of water resources in Guyana.

Provide funding, through an emergency component, to support recovery needs after the January 2005 floods.

“Through the proper treatment of drinking water and management of wastewater, the project will also contribute to the reduction of water-borne diseases, especially among children,” said Patricia López, World Bank task manager for the project. “The project will also benefit poor households, largely in rural and peri-urban communities, that are now boiling or purchasing water from vendors.”

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