Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) is moving to adopt "stringent measures" to curb the high incidence of bribery and other activities relating to illegal reconnections following disconnections of power supply due to non-payment of bills.

This was according to a statement from GPL on Friday, which also said that the services of two members of staff had been terminated following investigations into reports of extortion of monies from customers. Similarly an employee of one of the company's contractors involved in the same scam had himself been banned from conducting any work on GPL's behalf.

As a means of reducing the incidence of bribery and corruption GPL said that it had requested all its employees and agents (contractors) to display their GPL identification cards while conducting the company's business.

The power company advised customers to deny entry onto their premises to anyone who was unable to produce a GPL identity card issued to all employees by the company, and further to record the name, title and description of anyone who did not have one, and pass the details to the nearest GPL commercial office. No member of staff or agent of GPL, said the release, could collect monies in the field unless specifically authorised to do so.

These reminders, it was stated, had been prompted by reports from customers about persons whose identity could not be verified purporting to conduct GPL's business both during and outside regular business hours. The power company also assured customers that every report of extortion or acceptance of monetary inducements was being and would be investigated thoroughly with appropriate action being taken.

This measure, the release continued, was particularly applicable in those instances where power had been disconnected and then re-connected illegally without the requisite reconnection payments and an adjustment of arrears.

The measures, it was stated, apart from protecting the company's resources, human and otherwise, were also aimed at preserving its integrity and responsibility to its customers.

The release reminded customers that payments to GPL should be made at the company's offices in Georgetown, West Demerara, Bartica, Leguan, Anna Regina, West Berbice, New Amsterdam, Hampshire and Corriverton. Alternatively, bills could be paid at any post office branch, or at any branch or ATM of GBTI, NBIC or Demerara Bank.

Last weekend a contract worker, Trevon Marcus, who was part of a disconnection team which carried out an exercise in the Charlestown area, was electrocuted after attempting to illegally reconnect power to a consumer.