Royston King, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of City Hall, in an interview with Stabroek News said yesterday that the recent move by GPL has severely affected the smooth running of its day to day activities.
According to King the power disruption has been alleviated through the use of a stand-by generator which allows the daily duties of the various departments of the municipality to be executed.
He explained, however, that the use of this alternative power has a direct impact on City Hall’s treasury since it has to use finances from its already limited pool for fuel.
King added that although alternative power is being supplied, the execution of work is somewhat challenging since the generator cannot go beyond eight hours, thus affecting work that sometimes exceeds the eight-hour shift.
The PRO emphasized that, “City Hall does not have the money to repay the GPL and I shudder to think what could happen as the festive season is quickly approaching.”
King said further that the situation between the municipality and GPL is a two-way one since City Hall is unable to pay its electricity bills and the power company, like many other mega entities, has to pay rates and taxes to City Hall.
“If we are to honour our financial obligations to the GPL, then we need the GPL and other defaulting companies to honour their civic obligations and pay their taxes to the City Hall,” King stressed.
He said also that there have since been no alternative arrangements for the supply of electricity to the abattoir which has been badly hit.
A press release from City Hall has expressed “surprise and shock” at the action of GPL to disconnect electricity from vital municipal services in the city.
Affected
The areas affected by the power cut include security installations, the city treasury, the municipal abattoir, the Liliendaal pump, facilities attached to the cemetery, the solid waste management department, the incinerator and the mechanical workshop.
The council said it understands that there are moves by GPL to disconnect other key areas of service such as the day care facilities, markets and other operational centres.
City Hall said that these services are critical to the well-being of the city and its populace, adding that the disconnection of power from these services would have enormous consequential implications on public health, economics and security of the capital.
The release noted that the Liliendaal pump accounts for drainage of all areas east of Sheriff Street, approximately 60% of the total drainage of the city. Should there be heavy rains during this period, sections of the city and along the East Coast of Demerara could experience heavy overtopping which could result in damage to properties and the general natural environment.
The council also observed that it is strange that GPL in a release to the municipality said it would not disconnect street lights which account for a bill of about $488M but it has disconnected electricity from the Liliendaal pump with a bill for $83M.
The City Council said further that it is working with a very narrow revenue base, and rate collection accounts for some 80%.
“It is clear that when property owners, including big companies default on their civic responsibility, the council would find it difficult to meet its financial obligations.”
The council said it is therefore calling on all rate payers, including GPL, to pay their rates to the city in order to assist the council in its efforts to secure the integrity of Georgetown.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by Deputy Mayor Robert Williams and Town Clerk (ag) Yonnette Pluck-Cort yesterday met with officials of GPL where the council highlighted the power company’s indebtedness to City Hall which is said to be in the sum of $709,276,774 for accrued taxes, while information submitted shows that the municipality is indebted to GPL to the tune of some $611M.
According to City Hall, this matter has over the years remained unresolved because of a variety of reasons.
