-regional chairman laments lack of info from station

Full power was restored to Lethem and its surrounding communities after nine days, at approximately 5 pm on Wednesday.

The power went off last week during the much anticipated Brazil match with North Korea. This angered many residents. When Stabroek News visited the plant following the power outage last week, the engineer had assured SN that the plant would “be up and running tomorrow when we receive the part on the flight.” This did not happen.

SN went for an update on Saturday last since it was learnt that a technician was in the area to assist employees of the power company. SN was greeted with hostility but a source agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity. He informed SN that the plant had serious problems. He said that the cylinder, rings and valves were all damaged and that some of the parts were already sourced. He said that the other needed parts were not available even from other power plants around the country.

The source also informed SN, based on queries, that the staff was not trained to detect major problems like those which were being experienced at the time, “not even during routine maintenance,” the source said.

When asked about the capacity of the plant, the source had said that the plant was presently operating at 50% capacity and that it would work more efficiently at 90%. He did acknowledge that when the commercial zone is fully operational, the use of the engine would be at its optimum. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, SN was contacted by several residents, including businesspersons seeking to find out what was the latest update since they were not being given any information by the administration of the Lethem Power Company (LPC). Previous attempts by SN to elicit information from the LPC have failed. Many of the residents who contacted this newspaper expressed frustration and disgust with the attitude towards paying consumers by the administration of the LPC. The businesspersons said that they had to be second-guessing LPC to ascertain when power would be on in their areas, since no schedule was announced. “Not even a poster anywhere,” one businessman lamented. Some business entities are contemplating recouping some of their losses from the company. The main complaint from all of the businesspersons was the drop in business and those with their own lighting plant complained of an increase in operating costs. The only businesses that flourished during the nine days were the three gas stations in Lethem. There was a marked increase in kero and gasoline sales.

SN contacted the Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) Chairman, Clarindo Lucas for a comment. The Regional Chairman admitted that the LPC was unaccommodating of enquiries. He said as Regional Chairman, he regularly has to demand information since none is given to him even out of courtesy. He said that by virtue of his position, he must know everything since residents would contact his office on a variety of issues. He said over the period he was unable to give reliable information since, in some cases none was given, or in others misleading information was supplied. He said he was originally told that full electricity supply would be restored in two days but nothing happened. The regional chairman said that he was not even called and given an explanation why the deadlines were not met.

For this reason, Lucas said, he was forced to ask a member of the Electricity Board to liaise with the company and issue him information on a daily basis. The member, Daniel Gajie, the Chairman said, was knowledgeable about these matters. Based on information supplied by Gajie, the regional chairman said that after the plant went down a defective part was replaced. When the engine was being tested, another fault developed and the technician from Georgetown was summoned. The part that was needed this time was put on a minibus which developed mechanical problems and took three days to reach Lethem. When asked why a bus was used and not the plane which flies to Lethem every day, the regional chairman said he could not say.

When asked about the general claims of unqualified staff at the power plant, Lucas said that whether or not the staff are qualified they must be courteous to all stakeholders inclusive of the paying public. The residents are of the view that the staff at this public utility do not treat them in a civil manner.

Lucas said he is willing to work with the LPC in the interest of the communities concerned but the LPC has to reciprocate. In this regard, Lucas informed SN that while members of the Board and the manager were receiving power almost nightly, other senior public officials had to endure the darkness.

He said that important facilities were without electricity as well including the police station. However, because of the situation no one complained. Therefore “LPC has got to come to grips with civility and treat people with respect,” Lucas concluded.

SN also caught up with civil society activist and Lethem resident, Clairmont Lye and he echoed the sentiments of the Regional Chairman.