Harmon in Region Nine reconnaissance ahead of well drilling

-convoy of 23 vehicles expected from Brazil

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon yesterday led a team to the South Rupununi, Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo for a reconnaissance of the roads and other facilities, as the region gets ready to host members of the Brazilian Army, who will begin drilling of eight wells in eight villages from October 4, 2018.

A release from the Ministry of the Presidency noted that artesian wells will be drilled in the Region Nine villages of Aishalton, Chukrikednau, Shea, Maruranawa, Awaruwaunau, Karaudanawa, Achiwib and Bashraidrun and will have a depth of 100 metres or around 300 feet.

The release said that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has commenced road works to facilitate the smooth passage of vehicles and equipment from Brazil through Lethem to the various communities. According to Brazilian Military Attaché to Guyana, Colonel Deni Da Silva, the equipment and support vehicles, which are 23 in total, are expected to arrive here on October 1, 2018. The wells are to be handed over to the Guyanese authorities on November 28, 2018.

According to the release, Harmon said the visit was necessary as it identified areas in which works would have to be done and are ongoing. He pointed out that the Agreement for the drilling of the wells was signed at the highest levels with the two Heads of State (President David Granger and Brazil’s President Michel Temer) and therefore, the Government has to ensure that all systems are in place and working effectively to ensure a smooth flow of personnel and equipment from Brazil to the identified areas.

“It is important to these communities to ensure that they have a regular supply of potable water year round. We are aware that during (the) dry season, there are droughts and during the wet season, there is flooding and we have to ensure that we do not have these communities subjected to the vagaries of the weather. [We must] put systems in place to ensure that this is addressed. I am satisfied with what I have seen and I satisfied that all of the work necessary to receive the team has been done,” Harmon said.

Community sensitisations have also been done and the Village Councils will be given a final briefing next week before the drilling starts, the release said.

During the drilling, there will be technology transfer and capacity building, which will benefit several agencies including the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Water Incorporated, the Hydrometeorological Office, Ministry of Public Infrastructure as well as representatives from the eight villages.

The Government of Guyana, as prescribed in the Agreement signed between the two countries, shall undertake to “take responsibility for the maintenance of the artesian wells that will be drilled during the practical operations on the ground; appoint a technical team to monitor and participate in activities to be implemented, provide the technical team sent by the Government of Federative Republic of Brazil with the logistical support required to implement activities of their responsibility and to take measures to ensure that activities implemented by professionals sent by the Brazilian Government will be continued by professionals from the Guyanese implementing institution.”