A new generator set will be installed at Mabaruma in Region One, in light of the electricity problems faced by residents of the community.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon noted during a press conference on Thursday that the new P750E5 generator set, valued at $18.03M, will be installed at Mabaruma shortly. It is unclear what may be the fate of another generator set which the regional administration purchased earlier this year at a cost of $16M.
That generator was taken to the region after several months, since no space could have been arranged for it to be placed on the North West ferry, MV Kimbia. It was subsequently taken to the area by barge but remained at the Kumaka Marketing Corporation wharf for several weeks before being taken to the power house at Mabaruma. It arrived in the region missing several key parts.
Residents of Mabaruma and surrounding communities protested against the unstable electricity supply earlier this month.
The area had been without electricity for several weeks – an occurrence which has been ongoing since last year – and over three dozen residents came out to picket the offices of the regional administration. They also voiced concerns over other issues, including the dilapidated condition of the community’s secondary school.
APNU parliamentarian Richard Allen told Stabroek News that the problem is not new and while monies were approved in the National Assembly to fix the generator which was purchased by the region, the matter remained unsolved. He said that the cost to install the generating set is more than the $16M paid by the government for the equipment.
According to Allen, the generator was taken to Mabaruma and several months later, it was realised that it was costly to install the new system. He said that the region employs the services of an engineer who would have been expected to make an assessment to determine the relevant cost factors before the generating set was purchased.
Stabroek News was told that the authorities were making attempts to prevent residents from carrying out the picketing exercise earlier this month but residents expressed disgust at the situation, with many citing the significant cost attached to purchasing fuel for their small generating sets.
Persons at Mabaruma reported to Stabroek News last month that the problematic older generating set, which also broke down for more than a month earlier this year, was being repaired. However, the technicians pointed to a snag where sourcing the relevant parts is concerned.
Stabroek News understands that the regional administration is working to set up an electricity network at nearby Barabina as soon as possible and a contractor was already identified to install the network of electrical poles and wiring at the community.
