By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
GOOD HOPE, EAST COAST DEMERARA — Families in Good Hope New Scheme Phase 4 are entering their third year without access to potable water, sparking an urgent plea for government intervention. On Wednesday, a delegation of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Members of Parliament conducted a site visit to the community, describing the living conditions as a “humanitarian concern” in one of the region’s newest housing developments.
The visit follows months of formal complaints from residents who say they have been left behind while surrounding phases receive infrastructure upgrades.
The Daily Struggle: Hardship and School Attendance
During the site visit, residents detailed the extreme measures they must take to survive without a basic utility.
- Fetching Water: Many families are forced to fetch water from distant standpipes or neighboring schemes, a task that often falls on the elderly and children.
- Rainwater Reliance: In the absence of a pipe-fed system, households are almost entirely dependent on rainwater, which becomes a health and supply risk during the dry season.
- Education Impact: MP Ganesh Mahipaul highlighted that the lack of water is directly affecting school attendance, as children are often late or unable to prepare for school due to the time-consuming process of securing water.
Infrastructure Sequencing vs. Occupancy
A key point of contention is the reason provided by the authorities for the delay. MP Mahipaul noted that residents were previously told the area is not yet “officially approved” for water connection due to low occupancy levels.
- Contradictory Policy: The MP argued that this reasoning is flawed, as land allocations have been completed and many homes are already occupied.
- The “Trillion-Dollar” Critique: Mahipaul described the situation as unacceptable given Guyana’s status as a “trillion-dollar economy.” He pointed out that while billions are allocated for national water infrastructure in the 2026 Budget, Phase 4 residents continue to be overlooked.
Parliamentary Pressure
The APNU MPs have signaled that they will bring this matter to the National Assembly to seek a definitive timeline from the Ministry of Housing and Water.
Key Concerns Raised by APNU:
- Service Delivery Gaps: Why has the rollout of utilities not kept pace with the rapid allocation of house lots?
- Budget Transparency: Where is the 2026 allocation for Region 4 water infrastructure being prioritized?
- Human Rights: Access to water is a basic right that should not be contingent on reaching a specific occupancy percentage.
“It is unacceptable that in a trillion-dollar economy, families are still fetching water in Region 4. This is a basic amenity that should have been sequenced with the housing rollout,” MP Ganesh Mahipaul stated.
