The generating sets of the privately owned Linden Power Company (LPC) have been malfunctioning and over the past week went completely out of operation.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) yesterday said the situation is being closely monitored by Prime Minister Sam Hinds who is in turn constantly briefing President Bharrat Jagdeo.

In response to the electricity shutdown, the Government responded promptly in assisting and supporting the LPC in acquiring two mobile sets from the Sophia, Georgetown station operated by Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL).

GINA said the two generating sets were late Saturday night transported to the mining town to ease the situation and engineers are working feverishly on the LPC sets that have malfunctioned.

Prime Minister Hinds has given the assurance that the Government is doing everything possible to bring relief to the residents, GINA said.

The electricity and water shortage has led to protests, which began in the town last week and continued yesterday.

Incidents of looting have been reported in Linden

Up to late yesterday, the acute power situation in the bauxite mining town remained virtually the same due to the failure of one of the two mobile diesel generation sets sent into the area by the Government.

The 1.8 megawatts rated diesel set conked out shortly after being put into operation around noon yesterday with one of its cylinders becoming dysfunctional and low oil pressure readings reported.

With the failure of this set and after committed efforts by technicians from GPL, the Linden Mining Enterprise (LINMINE), the LPC and servicemen from the MACORP company, the second diesel set was put into operation shortly after 17:00 hrs yesterday.

Officials said this is expected to provide power to the LINMINE Machine and Electrical shop and the village circuit.

It is understood that among works done on both generating sets yesterday were oil change and replacing oil filters while additional cable had to be sought from Georgetown to get the second set working.

The diesel engines arrived in Linden just around midnight Saturday and the workforce went into operation early yesterday morning.

As the prolonged power outage continued, protesters maintained roadblocks and barricades on major roadways.

Commuters from Georgetown were also handicapped as the protesters, like they did Saturday, continued to block the Karakara bridge while the Wismar/Mackenzie bridge remained blocked by protesting groups.

Demonstrators kept vigil on the Wismar/Mackenzie bridge where the largest turnout of persons remained.

Police and regional officials were seen monitoring the situation closely and Town Council vehicles plied different routes in an attempt to maintain order.

There were several reported cases of looting during the protests in the mining town.

Reports said the Courts Furniture Store (Linden Branch), the Demerara Bakery owned by the General Manager of LPC, Mr. Steve Bovell and Lakeram's Motor Spares were among the businesses looted.

Reports said the looters were mainly pockets of youths.