PRESIDENT of the Association of the Regional Chambers of Commerce, Mr Ramdial Bhookmohan is taking the two utility companies, the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) to task over inefficient services.

He said the two entities have failed the expectations of the nation’s consumers, and they have not been delivering the kind of services supportive of the country’s economic thrust.

The Berbice businessman said that the “Ancient County” has been getting the most unpleasant treatment by GPL with consistent power outages and an erratic billing system.

Bhookmohan said that businesses are not operating at their optimum because of the unscheduled blackouts, and he urged that the method of estimating charges for electricity should be discontinued.

He criticised GT&T for failing to adequately satisfy the needs of the populace with enough telephone lines in keeping with their expansion programme.

According to Bhookmohan, GT&T in its operation as a monopoly is taking advantage on the Guyanese public. He said that the telephone company, too, is not exempt from faulty billing.

Bhookmohan was equally severe on the new increased rates proposed by the entities amidst growing dissatisfaction with their performances.

He alluded to the huge arrears collected by GPL after the take-over. These arrears, he said, should have been utilised with their other initial investment to revamp the generating system.

“It is my belief that Government should encourage investment from alternative companies to boost both telecommunication and electrification particularly in those rural communities,” Bhookmohan said.

He suggested that the authorities engage neighbouring Venezuela and Suriname in discussions on previous offers for cheaper electricity.

Bhookmohan said the administration should also look at the possibilities of solar and wind energies as alternatives. These forms of energy are working well in countries such as India and Holland.

He also indicated the willingness of the Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce to work with the Government on procuring additional energy suppliers. These new processes may prove to be cheaper and more beneficial to the nation, he noted.