-utility still mum
Fed up with the situation, Lethem residents yesterday protested in front of the Lethem Power Company (LPC) offices as the electricity woes in the border community continued and Executive Director of the utility, John Fredericks refused to comment when contacted.
The power company’s lack of communication with residents was a major issue for the protestors, numbering about 20, who picketed the LPC offices for about two hours at around mid-morning yesterday. This newspaper was told that after power was cut at 1 am yesterday, the community never received electricity until close to 3 in the afternoon.
The power supply problems take on greater significance in light of the imminent opening of the Takutu Bridge which will be see greater trade and traffic between Guyana and Brazil.
For over a week, the residents have had to contend with blackouts and constant fluctuations in voltage, which have damaged their equipment. Some community leaders have requested a meeting with President Bharrat Jagdeo and the problematic electricity supply is one of the issues that they hope to discuss.
The protest was organized by community members and resident Clairmont Lye said that among the major issues was the “callous attitude” of the LPC in not informing residents of the problem. “To date the LPC has not seen it fit to inform the public as to what the problem is and when it could be solved”, he said. In addition, he stated, residents are incensed that equipment such as fridges, freezers, television sets, sewing machines and compressors were damaged due to the constantly fluctuating power. Another of their concerns relates to the fact that the residents were never told that a new LPC Board has been formed and the new Chairman and another member reside in Georgetown which creates an unnecessary expense, as it relates to the members attending meetings.
Regional Chairman Clarindo Lucas also slammed the power company for not communicating with the residents regarding the power woes while businessman Daniel Gajie said that the problem is one that has been occurring over the past two years though it is getting worse. Gajie, a former President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) said that apart from affecting businesses, this is having a negative effect on the sprawling Region’s tourism industry while there are also issues of security.
Executive Director of the LPC, Fredericks would only say that there was a problem when contacted yesterday. “If Stabroek News reported that there is a problem, then there must be a problem with electricity in Lethem”, he stated.
The head of the public utility went on to say that he had a “personal problem” with a Stabroek News staffer and “I am not speaking to the Stabroek News about anything”. He further said “yes we do have a problem here so I don’t have time to sit around and talk”.
Meantime, Lucas, when contacted yesterday disclosed that his office never received any official communication from the LPC. He emphasized that the power company should have communicated with the residents and informed them of the problems they were facing so that the people would have been able to protect their equipment. “Yesterday (Tuesday) was really, really terrible, the current kept coming on and off”, he said.
He revealed that at midday yesterday, he called the LPC and was told that a technician had come from Georgetown and was trying to rectify the problem. He said that he was told that the power would be restored at 2 pm but it came on at 2:45 pm. “As of now power is restored and appears to be stable”, he stated when speaking with this newspaper after 4 pm yesterday. The Regional Chairman disclosed too that some of his equipment was damaged and his fans are not working and appear to have been burnt out. He noted too that the erratic power had affected the water supply and there was no water flowing through the taps though it was expected that it would have started running at 6 pm yesterday.
Lucas noted that money has been allocated for purchasing an additional generator for Lethem and he will be making contact with the Office of the Prime Minister to see how early the generator can be acquired. He said that he hopes that the new power-generating set will improve the supply of electricity in the community pointing out that last Tuesday evening; he met with residents of Tabatinga who enquired about when they will be connected to the grid.
Gajie, meanwhile, told Stabroek News that the problem was an old one that they have been trying to solve but up to now there has been no positive development and the current problem is “the worst”. He said that they were aware of some of the steps taken by the government but of great concern is the time began taken and the insensitivity of the people responsible for procuring equipment. He disclosed that they have asked for a meeting with President Jagdeo to discuss a number of issues, including electricity.
Meantime, Lye said that during the picketing exercise yesterday, a policeman took the names of those present and opined that this was a sign of a police state “as we seem to be mired in this culture of intimidation”. He noted that Fredericks was at the office during the exercise but did not say anything to the residents.
On Tuesday, residents had complained to this newspaper that a fluctuating electricity supply and constant blackouts in the community over the past week had damaged their equipment and they had heard nothing from the power company.
Reports out of the Region Nine community had stated that the problem began over a week ago after the major generator in the community failed. It was repaired but an erratic power supply ensued.
Residents in the border town have long complained of an unreliable electricity supply and six years after rain and mudslides put the Moco-Moco Hydro-electricity plant out of commission, power in the community remains problematic. Lethem is one of the villages to be transformed into towns and is the key point for trade with Brazil.
The Takutu Bridge linking the two countries has been completed but is yet to be officially opened. Residents on the Guyana side of the bridge have frequently stated that the infrastructure in the community needs substantial upgrading.
