Dear Editor,
Last Tuesday, October 9, two unidentified members of the Guyana Power and Light disconnection team came to my residence around 14:00 hours, alleging that I owe the company some $9000. I presented my bills for the year but this did not deter the men from disconnecting my electricity. In fact, my last bill was settled in September. They said that my name appeared on the list and therefore they must disconnect me: “ah gon still gat to disconnect yuh light because GPL seh yuh owe them.”
I immediately went with my bills to the GPL office at Springlands, accompanied by my two daughters, both of whom are educators. Our intention was to meet with the manager. There were four customers in the office when we entered, two were transacting business at the counter and the other two were seated. A female employee, whom we learnt is Ms Johnson was seated at a desk in the inner office and the small entrance door leading to her was opened. The manager was seated at a desk behind Ms Johnson. However, we approached Ms Johnson and told her “Good afternoon”, but to our amazement the woman exclaimed, ” Get out of here! What you people doing in here?! Officer get these people outside!! Special Constable, Gravesande, obviously impressed with the woman’s attitude and out of respect shouted too, “Ya’ll get outside and wait! Wait outside!!” We were shocked but we complied and waited outside.
Ms Roberts, the manager, apparently embarrassed by Ms Johnson’s outburst came outside shortly and enquired about our business. To my mind, she had no control over her office at that point. Her hands were tied. Nevertheless, she took all the bills inside and was then joined by Ms Johnson and another employee. Meanwhile, we were still outside and never invited in. Upon Ms Roberts’ return, she informed us that the disconnection was a mistake. She apologised and said that orders were given for my electricity to be reconnected. It was reconnected the same afternoon.
We went to Springlands Police Station and complained to Sergeant Cumberbatch as we were very dissatisfied with Mr Gravesande’s attitude, which, like Ms Johnson’s, was unjustifiable. While there, we discovered that Ms Roberts kept back two of our bills. When we returned to GPL she retrieved the bills from her office which was still being occupied by Ms Johnson and the other employee. We are still wondering if the bills were kept back intentionally. However, Ms Roberts said that it was a mistake.
Something seems to be amiss at GPL’s office in Springlands. Why all those mistakes? It seems to me that there is poor administration and as a result, customers will continue to suffer.
There were quite a number of persons who were wrongfully disconnected on that same day. One tapir driver informed us that he, too, had to endure harassment, although he was wrongfully disconnected.
As I am addressing a major problem with GPL, I want to emphasize that I always pay my bills up to date, in as much as I found discrepancies with the billing system. During the past two years my bills have increased tremendously to over $9000 per month.This has to be a big error with the company. I notified GPL but to no avail. I am an ordinary citizen;
I do not have a business. I believe I am paying more than some of the small scale businesses and my money is compensating for those who are stealing the company’s electricity.
My daughter expressed dissatisfaction with the company and lamented about Ms Johnson’s arrogance and poor public relationship skills. Ms Roberts did not apologise for Ms Johnson’s behaviour. All she disclosed is that the woman came from Georgetown. Maybe, because she came from Georgetown she has all authority to express herself in a such a demeaning manner and to humiliate law abiding citizens. Even if Ms Johnson had a bad day, we were not responsible for that.
Yours faithfully,
Shirley Hooper
