Dear Editor,
On behalf of the residents of Lethem, Rupununi, I would like to thank you for the September 14 article in which we learnt for the first time that a new generator was in place to provide 24-hour electricity, and that this service would begin on October 1.
It is an insult to Lethem residents that neither the manager of the Lethem Power Company (LPC), nor the Regional Executive Officer, nor the Regional Chairman had the courtesy to notify us of this development. A few days ago I complained to an LPC board member who is the head of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce here, and he assured me that residents would be notified of problems and developments. We since experienced five power outages in one day, and three outages and an extended low-voltage period just yesterday. Residents have no idea what the problem is, or how long it will last. The only day that was trouble-free was when President Jagdeo was here. The disdain with which consumers are treated just continues.
Since I personally brought this matter to the attention of the President, I can only assume that it is the policy of the government as well as the LPC and the regional authorities to keep consumers in the dark. This was certainly borne out by an LPC supervisor who recently told a resident that LPC did not have an obligation to tell consumers anything. Why do the people always have to resort to extreme measures to get their voices heard?
And this is a caring government.
Yours faithfully,
Clairmont Lye
