| NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE – Some 28,000 Berbicians in Region Six owe the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) a staggering $1.2 billion in rates. This figure dates back to 2006.Speaking to the Kaieteur News on Friday, Public Relations Officer of the utility company,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, Timothy Austin, announced that this year the company is focusing on ways to recuperate the amount owed and as far as possible offer consumers an alternative to disconnection.He said that services would be severed only as a last resort.According to Austin, the general idea is not to remove a consumer’s supply but to work out ways to ensure persons honour their obligation.Those who fail to pay up would have their water supply shut off but at least they would first be given a chance to make things right.Two of the measures in place are community outreach programmes and sensitisation sessions at schools across the country.A number of these outreach programmes will be held in East Berbice/Corentyne at strategic locations so as to facilitate consumers who use distance as a reason for non-payment. The camps would be held particularly in areas not close to Guyana Water Inc. Offices.Special revenue collection desks would be put in place at supermarkets,Authentic Soccer Jerseys Free Shipping, community centers and the like, based on spots identified by persons on the ground. At these locations persons can also apply for new connections and generally make use of any service offered at a GWI office.In cases where there are queries about overpriced bills, the necessary inquiry would be conducted and,Wholesale Jerseys, depending on the findings, if the customer is required to pay that amount stated on the bill then appropriate arrangements can be worked out to suit the customer’s budget.There was also ‘Camp Resolution’ in 2009 through which persons were able to make payments,Wholesale Cheap Jerseys China, and have questions answered among other aspects.During November last year, another promotion – ‘Catch the Waive’ helped to recuperate some outstanding balances. Under the venture,Cheap NFL Jerseys, all connection fees for those with illegal set-ups were waived and residents were also afforded the opportunity to register and avoid the fine for tampering. Similar programmes can be expected this year.Last week ‘H2O Kidz N Action’ was launched, and the first batch of students was selected from the Wisburg Secondary School in Linden. It is hoped that by using them to help spread the message of water conservation, their parents would soon understand the importance.The 20 children were taken to the Watooka Water Treatment Plant and some basic things were explained to them including why it is necessary to pay for water, the cost of extracting it from the aquifer and pumping it to the home through the distribution system.The next ‘H2O Kidz N Action’ programme is scheduled for Georgetown, and Berbice from February through March.It would eventually fan out to all regions but the focus would be on locations where there are Guyana Water Inc. Treatment Plants.According to Mr. Austin, outstanding balances affect the operation of the utility company since revenue collected is used to offset expenses such as the management of water treatment plants, which include the purchase of chemicals. The entity now relies on Government’s subsidy to pay electricity bills.Starting this year, consumers would be billed quarterly. This system began in 2009 but there were some teething problems and these were eventually worked out.Meanwhile, the Queenstown Water Treatment at Corriverton is scheduled for completion in August this year. It is expected to serve some 18,NFL Jerseys China,000 customers between Number Seventy-four Village and Moleson Creek. The contract was awarded in June 2009 to a Japanese firm – Tokura Co-operation. This brings to three the number of such plants in East Berbice. The others are at Rose Hall and New Amsterdam.According to the GWI Public Relations Officer, there are those who complain about the quality of water received from water treatment facilities but in many instances the problems lie within the consumer’s system of storage. He said the water coming from the treatment plants is tested before distribution and is safe from bacteria. If it is discoloured or smelly,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, the problem could also be breakage or leakage along the distribution system.The Guyana Water Inc. is in the process of arriving at the 2010 rate collection target. |
