-World Water Day to be observed March 22Georgetown, GINA, March 20, 2008

Government is renewing its commitment to provide safe, potable water and sanitation systems countrywide, on the occasion of World Water Day which will be celebrated on March 22. This year also marks International Year of Sanitation.
Currently, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) provides water to 90 percent of the population, with the vision of achieving at least 95 percent by 2015.
The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio De Janerio. The United Nations General Assembly designated March 22 each year as the World Day for Water by adopting a resolution.
The Government recognizes the link between improved sanitation and improved water supply as better sanitation services result in enhanced human development, dignity, privacy and safety.
One of the greatest challenges Governments face worldwide is to improve the well being of 2.6 billion people, which is half of the population of the developing world that is lacking access to basic sanitation.
This year’s theme is “Sanitation matters” in keeping with the International Year of Sanitation (IYS). Five key messages have been developed to highlight the importance of sanitation to human development and environments.  These are:-

• Sanitation is vital for human health
• Sanitation generates economic benefits
• Sanitation contributes to dignity and social development
• Sanitation helps the environment
• Improved sanitation is achievable.

The Government of Guyana is proud of its achievement of increasing the rate of sanitation coverage. The population of Georgetown has access to a Central Sewerage System which has been the beneficiary $440M for the rehabilitation of pumps and street sewers.
Additionally there has been a further $240M Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) loan for the rehabilitation of pumps and the Tucville sewer system.
The Ministry Housing and Water calls on the public to cooperate in addressing the issue of sanitation in a suitable manner.