End of hardship as $35M water system commissioned at Hobodeia

Residents of the riverine community of Hobodeia are celebrating a major improvement in their daily lives with the commissioning of a new $35 million water supply system that promises better access to clean and reliable water.
For Mary Willis and others in the village of approximately 400 residents, the upgrade marks the end of years of hardship—especially during the dry season.
“We have one hand pump that we relied on and during the dry season it is difficult. We also have livestock, so it will make life easier for us,” Willis said, expressing relief at the long-awaited development.
The new Hobodeia Water Supply System was officially commissioned on Tuesday by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, joined by Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, Director of Hinterland Services at GWI Ramchand Jailal, the toshao, and villagers.
Installed near the community’s school, the system now delivers potable water via standpipes throughout Hobodeia, with about 40 per cent of households already benefiting from direct connections—a logistical challenge in the riverine setting that officials say will be further addressed.
The project included drilling a six-inch PVC well, installing roughly three kilometres of distribution lines, erecting a 25-by-25-foot chain-link fence, and setting up a solar-powered (photovoltaic) pumping system, standpipes, and service connections.
The works were completed through collaboration between the Hobodeia Village Council and GWI, with drilling by Fabra Enterprise and trestle construction by N&A Construction.
Minister Croal, in his remarks, acknowledged the technical and environmental challenges that previously hindered efforts to supply the area with clean water. He praised GWI and the contractors for their persistence in overcoming these obstacles.
“This is part of our wider commitment to close the water access gap in hinterland and riverine communities,” Minister Croal stated.
Some $500 million will be invested in Region One’s water sector in 2025 alone, with Hobodeia being one of 45 communities set to benefit from new wells. Of these, 19 are planned for the Mabaruma Sub-Region.
The minister also highlighted the significant progress made in Region One over the last four years, noting an increase in water access coverage from just 38 per cent in 2020 to nearly 90 per cent today. The government, he said, aims to push that figure to 95 per cent in the coming months.
“We will continue to keep drilling and expanding services to every community until everyone is served,” Minister Croal affirmed, tying the initiative to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted that while the global goal is universal access to water and sanitation by 2030, Guyana is aiming to meet that milestone even earlier.
Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley echoed the minister’s sentiments, describing the project as a game changer for Hobodeia. He underscored the system’s positive impact on residents’ health, livelihoods, and overall quality of life.