By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
Member of Parliament for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Sherod Duncan, has expressed concern that the delivery of a reliable water supply to households across Guyana continues to lag, despite significant expenditure in the water sector.
According to Duncan, while authorities often point to water reaching communities, the reality for many families is starkly different. He noted that many households remain reliant on water trucks or are forced to purchase water, raising questions about whether infrastructure projects are reaching end users.
“Water might be reaching the road, but water is definitely not reaching homes,” Duncan said, arguing that the real issue lies in household-level connections rather than the presence of main distribution lines.
The APNU parliamentarian contended that although there have been active invitations to bid for major projects such as water treatment plants, there is limited public information on concluded contract awards, quantities procured, or delivery schedules for critical consumption-related items. These include water meters, meter boxes, and small-diameter service pipes needed to connect individual homes.
Duncan further observed that even in areas where land has been allocated for housing and large transmission pipes are already nearby, many communities remain functionally unserved. He attributed this, in part, to poor coordination between water-sector procurement and housing development.
According to the MP, the situation could be significantly improved through greater transparency. He called for clearer public disclosure of awarded contracts, quantities of household connection materials, and mobilisation timelines, which he believes would enable better planning and accountability.
Duncan warned that without a more coordinated and transparent approach, the goal of providing reliable potable water directly to homes will continue to progress slowly, leaving many communities underserved despite ongoing investments in the sector.
