by Samuel Wens
GOEJABA — Villagers of Goejaba – the largest residential community in the area on the Upper Suriname River – have purchased a diesel-powered ‘Deut 913 turbo’ water pump. More than six thousand euros have been raised by them and abroad for this purpose.
The step was taken after the central government failed to complete the water distribution system in the village built years ago by the Ministry of Natural Resources (NH) and the Water Supply Department (DWV) despite repeated calls from the community, Koujas Abauna told the True Time. He is a district councilor and member of the development organization ‘Working Group Goejaba’.
“We would also have to buy kilometers of pipes, but we will use the distribution network that the government has built”
Koujas Abauna
Supplies
Abauna, speaking on behalf of the villagers, said the distribution system is necessary for the village community. It must bring water to the numerous households of the many new residential areas, which are far away from the river.
In order to use the water distribution system, the village wants to purchase thirty duro tanks of two hundred liters each. Material is also required for a scaffolding to place the storage tanks at a height of more than eight meters, so that a smooth supply of water to households is possible. “We would also have to buy kilometers of pipes, but we will use the distribution network that the government has built,” says Abauna.
No permission
District Commissioner Humphrey Jeroe says no the True Time that NH and DWV have not given permission to use the network. “I was asked months ago by representatives of the village to talk to the ministry and DWV about the use of the network in the village, but the DWV did not give permission. I recently learned that the village has purchased a water pump and built a shelter for it.”
Abauna says the villagers know that the government has not given permission to use the distribution system, but say they are not bothered and will use it.
