Expectations of the new power company
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
The Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) came into being at the beginning of this month replacing the ailing Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC). After years of poor consumer service, consumers now share their expectations of the new company: Dennis Wade - accountant: 'Based on their mission statement we would expect a more efficient service at a better price. This would mean upgrading of plant and machinery and less blackouts in the city. Within three months, I would expect to see marked improvement in the service being provided. In the short term we should not expect anything. We will still be experiencing the effects of load-shedding for the Christmas. I would expect the company to train and employ Guyanese for management positions and eventually have Guyanese run the company as the GT&T Company [Guyana Telephone and Telegraph] is doing. As a matter of fact that should be a general condition for all companies coming into Guyana. To ensure quality service as well, I do not believe that any single utility should have a monopoly as a service provider.' Magnel Oldfield - self-employed: 'I expect the new company to give us an ease from the frequent blackouts we experience. At present our billings for electricity consumed are overpriced. I would expect that we would get some relief in this area. You don't mind paying for what you use but to have overpriced estimates is unfair. The cost is too high for electricity at present and it is grossly unfair that the rates should go up at this point in time when there is no improvement in the service. We would appreciate improved standards and would be willing to pay once it gets better. I would give the new company at least six months to get its act together after that we must see action.' Nadia Janki - housewife: 'First of all I think that the Public Utilities Commission should be the body to regulate increase in rates for the new company. No rates should be increased arbitrarily when the consumers can hardly afford to pay. We do not mind paying for increased rates but the service must improve as well. They have just taken over the company and rates are to be hiked. Whatever is the reason since the company took over last week we have been experiencing more blackouts than we have had in a long time. Because of the increase in rates at the start up of the new company I would expect to see some improvement by year end.' Lassel Duke - public servant: 'I think we should watch the performance of the company for the first six months. Then we will have an idea of what is going on. Increased rates will have serious implications for consumers at this time. Increased rates will mean increased cost of locally manufactured goods as well as services. Public servants and people who work for meagre wages will continue to suffer. Because of the situation of the country's economy and because the majority of Guyanese live below the poverty line I think that the cost to consumers should be subsidised. Government should absorb some of the cost for some consumers. As it is at present many of us can hardly pay for electricity charges. I would also hope that consumers are treated more professionally, billings are done regularly and queries are dealt with promptly.' Anita - housewife: 'I live in Sophia so I think that emphasis should be placed on upgrading the current system in place and expansion at the same time. Where I live we get a lot of low voltage and if I had not a stabiliser all my electrical appliances would have been damaged by now. I would expect the billing system to improve. People should also be more informed about the works of the company. For instance people should be informed when disconnection is due. People must not just come home and find their lines severed.' Roy Ferguson - private sector employee: 'I would expect some change within the medium term for the better. In the short term, however, I would expect lots of administrative work done first. This will include putting systems in place and mapping out strategies as to the direction in which the company will be moving. The old GEC was working with an outdated system so there will be a backlog of work. Estimating current used must not continue. Meter-reading or some computerised system should be put in place to determine exactly how much electricity consumers used. Many people are being robbed because of the current system in place and many are robbing from the current system in place. Significant improvement should be seen within another two years.' Shaneeza Chowhai - housewife: 'I am glad that a new company has taken over. We have been asking for better services in the supply of electricity for as long as I know it. The economy is in a bad state and to increase rates substantially would be to lower people's standard of living. Countrywide, the service needs improvement. I think any new company coming to Guyana should come with its own capital and not to pressure people early. Once they can provide the service then we will pay for the service.' John David - private sector employee: 'I think that once the new company scratched past the worst and got the utility service going the country would be on the right road to development. I think they need to improve what is there and expand the service countrywide. In the city itself the service is poor. Every day transformers blow here and there and whole sections or wards in the city go without light causing a loss of income and lots of inconvenience. This business about reading meters every three months as well as estimating current used must be done with, too. Meter readers too must be properly identified.' Malcolm De Freitas - political activist: 'I am hoping that the new power company will be able to achieve what the honourable Peter Stanislaus D'Aguiar had wanted to achieve in his attempt to take over the Demerara Power Company way back in the late fifties. I have my doubts about the length of time it will take to get the company satisfying the needs of consumers. I am hoping though that with the goodwill of all concerned we would be able to jump the hurdle which we have been falling down on since 1959.' Derek Singh - private sector employee: 'I would expect that once the service improves the rates will increase but I would not expect rates to go up without any improvement in service. In terms of how the new company handles itself, I think we should watch and see what happens. We should give it a six-month grace period. This will allow the GPL to get the administration off the ground; get rid off the square pegs in the round holes and streamline the operations. I would wish for accurate bills.'
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