Dear Editor,
What is the problem at GPL? Am I being discriminated against?
I am now going public since several efforts to redress my problems have failed to reach anyone at GPL who has offered a sensible suggestion or solution. As a matter of fact the lack of concern and the poor customer care attitude of some frontline workers have made it necessary for me to give a synopsis of my grievance with GPL over the last year.
What I am outlining here seems to be the modus operandi of GPL. I have listened to several customers during my many visits and the manifold complaints are the same.
They (GPL) do not seem to want customers. They do not seem to value customers. They are harsh to customers. They are overcharging customers. They are sloppy with their book keeping. They are slow to rectify faults/problems. There is not enough integration within and across departments.
My story which is trimmed to the bare facts follows.
In October 2009 there was power at 84, Silverbally Street, Meadow Brook Gardens in a tenant’s name. Two weeks later the power was cut off. The landlord requested power to the building. GPL insisted that the tenant’s bill be paid (the tenant absconded owing the landlord a huge sum of money in the form of rent). The landlord protested but was in dire need of electricity so the tenant’s bill of twenty-one thousand, eight hundred and eighty-two dollars ($21,882) was paid (document available).
Then the meter was removed by GPL which requested a reconnection fee before electricity could be reinstated. The fee of $3,200 was paid and promises of reconnection went on for two or more weeks. Every time the landlord went in to GPL it was tomorrow. Then the shocking news that GPL could not supply electricity since the service was discontinued and that the GPL worker should not have taken the reconnection fee. GPL advised that a new application be made for power to the house. When the landlord enquired about his $3 200 dollars paid for reconnection, he was told that it would be credited to his new account (he has not got the S3 200 to date despite his requests; at that time such money was refundable; with GPL’s new rules it is not).
The landlord applied for electricity in his name but was denied the $3 200 when the time came to pay for the investigation fees and five thousand ($5 000) for customer deposit. He wasted hours trying to retrieve that money which was approved by one person but denied by other(s) and therefore had to find $3 200 for the investigation fees when GPL owed him that sum (document is available).
He, however, paid new sums of money and after much running around for months got power in May 2010. On enquiring, GPL informed that there would be no bill for three months. After the three months elapsed he visited GPL on five occasions asking for a bill (this was done so often because the meter was old and did not begin at the zero mark but had hundreds of units covered already) but all these visits proved unsuccessful; there was no bill for the customer.
The first bill came in September 2010 as an estimate stating that no current was used. It only had the fixed charge. October, November and December proved to be the same as September; no electricity was consumed only the fixed charge was on the bill.
January 2011 was the bomb. A bill of actual consumption came for $205,110 dollars (two hundred and five thousand one hundred and ten dollars). The readings were again erroneous and inconsistent. Readings were from 4851 to
8658.
The customer went in to GPL and made a report of the erroneous reading and inaccurate bills. He was threatened with disconnection. He requested a proper reading of the meter.
That was subsequently done. A modified bill was made which is yet to be authenticated. The customer has paid a sum of money.
GPL has neither offered an apology nor corrected the bill. Instead GPL is perpetuating the false readings to make it look like the customer used 3807 units( Kwh) in the period 8th January 2011 – 7th February 2011 The readings are from 8658 to 12465 (this bill has gone back to estimate consumption); the consumer regards it as a guesstimate. The charge for 3807 Kwh at 53.78 = $204,740.46 (note the meter readings are all fictitious). So the customer now owes (according to GPL) $204,740 plus $205,110 = $410,220.
This customer is not bothered since he knows that GPL is doing this year round to several customers. His only regret is that he wasted twelve working days from November 09 to the present running after the procurement of electricity, trying to get a bill, paying bills, and trying to put right his electricity problems created by GPL (yesterday Monday, February 28, 2011 he was going on another wild goose chase at GPL).
How much longer would it take GPL to get their act together and provide a satisfactory service to the Guyanese public?
I have purchased electricity in different countries and never had it so bad.
Imagine if this property was transferred to someone that person would have been pressured into paying $410, 220 to have electricity in their name.
I have heard such tales time and time again during the one year 1 became `intimate’ with GPL.
Yours faithfully,
Name and address
supplied
Editor’s note: A copy of this letter is being sent to GPL for any comment it may wish to make.
