Today, October 7th, 2021, the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government in partnership with the Belize Social Investment Fund (SIF) and Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) held an inauguration ceremony for the water supply project in Sarawee Village, Stann Creek District.
The total cost of the project was BZ$355,000 with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Government of Belize (GOB), and the community of Sarawee Village contributing BZ$337,250 BZ$14,750 and BZ$3,000, respectively.
The availability and supply of safe water will contribute significantly to the reduction of incidences of waterborne and communicable diseases within the community thus improving the quality of life of over 1,000 residents in Sarawee. The community will now have access to safe water to meet their daily water needs for household use, as well as agriculture.
The provision of safe water in rural communities supports the Government of Belize’s aim to meet Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 6.2 of the SDGs aims to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” with Target One, which is to “achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.”
The project scope of works included the installation of three miles of distribution pipes and funding to offset 175 connection fees. Works also included the enhancement of the pumping system, which enabled the Belize Water Services Limited (BWS) to facilitate adequate water pressure to serve the community. The new BWS connection replaces an old water system that was constructed in 1993. Prior to the completion of the water project, villagers obtained water from rainwater collection, private wells, and a standpipe. SIF in collaboration with BWS implemented the water project.
Present at today’s inauguration were Hon. Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government; Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics; Dr. Hon. Louis Zabaneh, Area Representative for Sarawee and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology; and Mr. Valentino Shal, CEO in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government.
End.
