April 10, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
GWI AND JICA HOLD DEBRIEFING SESSION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE’S RETURN FROM JAPAN TRAINING
Earlier today, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), hosted a virtual debriefing session following the successful completion of a JICA-funded training programme by GWI’s Executive Director of Operations, Mr. Jawaharlall Ramjug.
Mr. Ramjug participated in the “Water Supply Management” course held from January 22 to February 22, 2025, at the JICA - Okinawa International Center in Japan. The training provided a deep dive into modern approaches to water supply and management, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement.
In delivering remarks during the virtual debriefing, JICA’s Director of Central America and the Caribbean Division of JICA, Mr. Kota Sakaguchi expressed his satisfaction with the progress Guyana has made in water sector innovation. He reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting Guyana’s continued development in this area and spoke on the expanding collaboration—particularly in concert with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to bring further advancements to Guyana’s water infrastructure.
Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Mr. Shaik Baksh, welcomed the sentiments shared and lauded the longstanding and fruitful partnership between Guyana and Japan. He recalled that in 2008, a JICA-supported initiative implemented a slow sand filtration system at the Number 56 Village Water Treatment Plant, technology that remains operational today and continues to function with minimal maintenance due to its innovative design.
Mr. Baksh also highlighted a major technical cooperation programme valued at US$1.1 million, being facilitated jointly by the IDB and JICA. This initiative will play a key role in GWI’s ongoing digital transformation, the development of a surface water treatment plant at Diamond, and the execution of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) strategies aimed at improving efficiency and reducing water losses.
Mr. Ramjug, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the programme, noting that the exposure to best practices and new technologies has significantly strengthened his understanding and capacity to further contribute to the modernization of Guyana’s water supply systems.
GWI remains committed to enhancing water quality and service delivery to the people of Guyana, through meaningful international partnerships and the continuous professional development of its technical and managerial teams.
