12 NEWS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Caricom congratulates GWI commences replacing aged St Lucia on its 42nd transmission lines in city Independence Anniversary
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he Caribbean Community (Caricom) has congratulated the Government and people of Saint Lucia on the country’s 42nd Independence Anniversary which will be celebrated today under the theme “A Resilient Nation. We can, we will”. “The many achievements of Saint Lucia as an independent nation serve as testimony to the strength and resilience of its exceptionally talented and innovative people,” Caricom Secretary
General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said in a congratulatory message to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet. “It is those characteristics which will enable Saint Lucia to continue on its path to sustainable de-
Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque
velopment despite the challenges brought about by the COVID 19 pandemic,” the Secretary General added. He noted that the efforts of the Government and people of Saint Lucia to advance the regional integration process are most appreciated. “I am particularly ap-
preciative of your dynamic leadership, as the Head of Government with responsibility in the QuasiCabinet for Sustainable Development (including Environment and Disaster Management and Water) and do look forward to Saint Lucia’s continued and active engagement in advocating in favour of the Community’s objectives,” Ambassador LaRocque posited. “Honourable Prime Minister, as Saint Lucians mark this important milestone, our Caricom family and I celebrate with you, and extend best wishes for the continued growth and advancement of Saint Lucia.”
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GWI CEO Shaik Baksh at the site of the breakage in the vicinity of the Bank of Guyana
he Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in 2021 will intensify efforts to replace the over 100-year-old transmission lines in Georgetown, with the support of Central Government. This is according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shaik Baksh, on Sunday during a visit to a breakage in the vicinity of the Bank of Guyana. He was accompanied by Senior Engineer in the Special Projects Unit of the Public Works Ministry Colin Gittens. The Ministry has been playing a major role in reinstating the roadways when these repair works are done. Baksh explained that
over the last few months there have been several breakages within the same area, which has heavy traffic traversing and these breakages have been causing the deterioration of the roadways. He stressed that repair works to such mains only serve as temporary fixes, as what is needed is the total replacement of these castiron mains. This, however, is very costly and cannot be done just over a one-year period. Nevertheless, GWI, with financial support from the Government has already commenced the replacement of the transmission mains. Works are ongoing between Lamaha Street and Shelterbelt and are ex-
pected to be completed by the end of March 2021. The CEO said the replacement of these mains is high on GWI’s agenda and three such projects have been catered for in the 2021 budget. This includes the replacement of transmission mains from Shelterbelt to Church Street, which will lead to Water Street; Shelterbelt through Cemetery road and Shelterbelt to Cummings Street. The company is also hoping to secure funding for the replacement of mains from Cummings Street to Water Street. The replacement of the aged mains also forms part of GWI’s five-year Strategic Plan for 2021-2025.
