Improvement in the quality of water provided to citizens as well as an increase in supply is dependent on much needed revenue to finance the upgrade of aged infrastructure, build human resource capacity and purchase the requisite equipment and chemicals to treat the water. This reasoning was reinforced by the Guyana Water Inc. on Wednesday at the Woodbine Room of Cara Lodge, during the second public hearing for an application on change of rates, organised by the Public Utilities Commission.
Responding to questions from the audience gathered at the hearing, Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles explained that although the company’s debt figure is high, collections alone cannot sufficiently finance the investments made to treat water for a growing economy.
“When we apply the Limitation Act and look at the debt beyond the last three years, there is no way; if you collect that debt anyway, that you can cover the cost …because nothing stands still. We’re having customers every day, we’re having new hosing schemes; both private and public, we are looking at already existing schemes that do not have access, those that require an improvement of quality such as New Hope”, he said.
He further highlighted that in the context of the strategic plan, maintenance of the system is necessary and the needs of the Hinterland regions as well as the improvement of water quality across the country must be taken into consideration.
Dr. Van West-Charles stressed that globally, every company caters for some level of delinquency from customers who do not pay their debt, citing other utility and hire purchase entities.
Additionally, the Managing Director pointed out that while salaries are equal among staff countrywide, so should the rates be.
