Things are rugged for consumers
Consumer Concerns
By Eileen Cox
Stabroek News
March 30, 2003
"Man, things real rugged." The woman was seeking a sweet drink from a friend and her request was being refused. Things are real rugged for all consumers. We are drifting on a rudderless ship and one cannot predict the end of it all.
The latest attack on consumers is the increase in water rates which is to be imposed by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) without any regulatory procedure being observed. It seems the GWI called a Press Conference and made the announcement but, to my knowledge, has failed to issue Notices in the Press to bring the increases to the attention of all consumers.
The increase is substantial - $350 per month for the City of Georgetown with an extra $ 100 for those who receive sewerage services.
For other areas the increase is $200 per month surprisingly enough there has been no murmur of disapproval from consumers. Could it be that they are not yet aware of what has befallen?
This seems to be a game of see-saw. GWI reduces the water pressure so that the taps in many houses are not running.
Water has to be fetched from yards. No notice is seen in the Press about the change in the supply arrangements.
So what happens is that the supply goes down and the rates go up.
Can anyone imagine the plight of the senior citizens who are disabled and who live in upper flats? Six or more buckets have to be fetched from the yards.
If there are two flats and they are both metered, then the resident in the upper flat is unable to access water. The management of GWI should consider the plight of these consumers.
GWI should also give some attention to consumers in North Ruimveldt and other areas where water is pumped by electricity. When the Guyana Power and Light is load shedding in these areas for six consecutive hours, then the consumers have no access to water.
One consumer indicated that even when the electricity supply was restored no water was available. She contacted the GWI but received no attention from that entity.
In those areas where access to water depends on electricity supply, GWI should make arrangements for water trucks to visit and supply water to householders. Water is an essential item.
The United Nations has declared that water is a human right. With this in mind, every consumer should have access to safe water at all times.
On the Essequibo Coast, one consumer has declared his intention to request GWI to disconnect his household. He has constantly complained that the water supplied is not fit for human consumption. It is red in colour and stains clothing and household utensils. He will rely on rain water for this household requirements and make use of trench water for gardening.
When the merger of GUYWA and Georgetown Sewerage and Water Commission was announced, there were many consumers who questioned the arrangement as neither entity was efficient. The accounting system at GS&WC was so inadequate that consumers were advised to keep their receipts in order to prove payment.
In May last year, the Guest Editorial in GAPEVINE, the Newsletter of the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers, pointed to the effects of privatization of water. The question was asked whether the restructuring of GUYWA and GS & WC as one entity for the privatisation of water throughout Guyana was in our best interest. Then it states:
"Developing countries such as Guyana have been told over an extended period of time that a basic service such as water would not be subjected to enforced liberalization under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
The World Trade Organization has committed itself to a new development bound to make trade work for the developing countries."
In the editorial it is then pointed out that apparently the EU's negotiating texts treat water just as another commodity.
"If the aid to GUYWA and GS & WC is from the EU, then the WTO negotiations will give impetus to the water privatization. This means that Guyana will be prevented by GATS rules from discriminating against foreign water providers."
I place emphasis on what follows:
"It would not be possible in the future to cross-subsidise public water supplies to the poorer communities in Guyana by taxing commercial providers, since the government could be put before a WTO dispute tribunal. This could also occur if the government attempted to impose price regulation to water affordable."
The conclusion was:
"These policy prohibitions have serious implications where a large majority of the poor in Guyana lack both access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities."
Already we have seen GWI refusing to grant any measure of relief to citizens in Georgetown who were previously assisted by GS & WC.
With these increases, it cannot be determined how persons living on NIS pensions will make two ends meet. Government will have to devise some means of giving these ready consumers access to water. The need is now.
