Dear Editor,
I am a resident of the new housing scheme at Block 9 Plantation, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara and am urgently appealing for government intervention regarding the ongoing lack of water service in our community. Although we have built our homes and are fully settled, we continue to live without access to a basic necessity: running water.
In recent weeks, a water truck has been assigned by GWI to supply households until permanent service is established. However, on August 30th, the individual responsible for distribution refused to deliver water to my home and several of my neighbours. Despite approaching him respectfully and even following his route for more than four hours to guide him to our homes, he repeatedly bypassed us. At the end of his route, he informed us that he had “no more water,” even though our tanks were completely dry.
Only after we sought assistance from another individual working with GWI did the truck operator reluctantly return to our street. It became clear he still had water available but had intended to leave without supplying us. This conduct is inhumane, unprofessional, and entirely unacceptable, especially given that residents are already enduring the hardship of living without a functioning water system.
We are calling on the relevant authorities to:
• Ensure equitable and consistent water distribution to all households in the scheme
• Investigate the conduct of the personnel responsible for water delivery
• Accelerate the installation of permanent water service, as families cannot continue living under these conditions
Access to water is a fundamental human need. No community should be left to suffer because of negligence or discriminatory practices. We are asking for urgent action to protect the dignity, health, and well‑being of the families who have invested in building their homes here.
Yours faithfully,
Leanna Sookra
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