–GPL tells Parliament committee
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) says the current tariffs it charges do not meet its cash flow needs and a hike is imminent unless government covers the deficit between the revenue it collects and the sum needed.
These disclosures were made at a meeting between GPL and the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services yesterday. GPL has already made public four options at its disposal to cushion its financial shortfall which includes a tariff hike, but PNCR-1G MP Winston Murray yesterday struggled to obtain a direct answer on whether the company would be forced to do so. After putting this scenario to a team of GPL representatives and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Murray was told, “Well, you have said it,” by Hinds, with GPL Chairman Winston Brassington adding, “unless the government provides that funding to us.” Brassington also pointed to the other three options which the company is examining. These are load shedding at peak hours, more cash support from the government and increased conservation. A tariff hike is said to be its last resort.