Guyana has signed a GUY$7.2 billion (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) concessional agreement with Japan to upgrade water treatment infrastructure in Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, and Japanese Ambassador to Guyana, Dr Akima Umezawa, signed the agreement that Todd later described as a powerful milestone, underscoring nearly six decades of a strong and productive relationship between the two states. He said Japan has consistently supported Guyana’s development, with a clear focus on human capital and improving the quality of citizens’ lives and that this approach aligns closely with the government’s people-centred development model.
Todd said that access to reliable water infrastructure is fundamental to building a competitive and resilient economy and that Diamond is a rapidly growing community and emerging hub in Region Four, where expanding populations require upgraded public services.
Todd also highlighted the importance of water to national and global development goals, referencing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Six, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
‘If we are going to improve the quality of life of every citizen, then water is vital, it is essential for life, and it is universal,’ Todd stated.
Ambassador Umezawa said that access to safe water is a fundamental human need, essential for life and health as a basic human right.
‘This project is aimed at not only creating safer and sustainable drinking water but also enhancing a healthy life environment, which contributes to the development of Guyana,’ he added.