Dear Editor,
One would have thought that with the implementation of the several cost-cutting exercises by GPL consumers would have by now been receiving a reliable and stable supply of electricity. Unfortunately this has not been the case. First was the restricting exercise where over 250 employees had their services terminated. Then there was a reduction to the number of employees on the emergency response teams from three to two. Also the 11:00 hrs to 07:00 hrs emergency response teams were disbanded as the management said that there are hardly jobs requiring emergency responses occurring during those hours.
Most of the jobs that were executed by those terminated employees are now being done by contractors as management were quite sure that by reducing the staff and employing contractors the supply of electricity would have been improved and be of a more stable and reliable quality.
At least they had hoped so but there are all wrong. In fact the situation has been the opposite with more frequent and extended power outages. This is so frustrating. However we are told that by the first week of November, 20 mw of power will be added to the grid and this should eliminate some of the blackout period.
This is good news for the consumers. But wait. It has been in the public domain that when the 20 mw facility has come on stream some if not all the mobile Caterpillar sets especially those at the Sophia location which supplies 15 mw of power will be taken out of service because of their high fuel consumption and maintenance costs. In addition the two overworked ‘Crossley’ generators which have been only able to generate 2 mw and 3 mw out of the rated 5.5 mw will also be taken out of service. With these ‘Cat’ sets at Sophia and the ‘Crossley’at the Garden of Eden facility being taken out a further reduction of staff members is anticipated. This development will put us back to square one.
The President and the Chairman of GPL have been having their say on the matter. Even though I think that the Chairman was quite frank and honest in predicting increased blackouts he should have been ashamed and embarrassed to make such statement. The President on the other hand has said that the spate of blackouts is unacceptable but this situation has existed for a very long time with little or no relief in site. The President should act now as the problem with GPL is not with overstaffing and rundown facilities but the need for efficient, knowledgeable and professional managers to oversee the every-day operations of the company. The present management team is a total failure and lacks inspiration. They believe and insist on contractual arrangements and involvement knowing fully well that such arrangements and involvements are not producing the required results.
Yours faithfully,
D. Carryl