Saying that charges for 11.5% of its post-paid customers are estimated because their meters are inaccessible, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is threatening to disconnect customers whose meters have not been read for two consecutive months.
GPL yesterday appealed to customers across the country to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the monthly reading of their meters by authorised GPL meter readers.
In a statement, the company said that in its monthly operational report indicated that 11.5 % of its total post paid customers’ bills were estimated as a result of the inability of the company’s meter readers to gain access to the meters for the purpose of obtaining readings, primarily as a result of locked gates and incorrectly positioned meters. The report also said the highest incidence of locked gates occurs in regions 3 and 4, while villages on the West Bank Demerara get the most estimated bills.
“GPL is reminding customers that the contract for provision of service requires the company to have unimpeded access to the meters,” the statement said.
It added that the right to access to have GPL’s meter read is provided for by law under the Electricity Sector Reform Act 1999 with amendment in 2010. The law also empowers GPL to disconnect the service if it is unable to read the meter.
“…Failure to have your meters read for two (2) consecutive months would result in the disconnection of service,” it further warned.
According to GPL, its meter readers operate from Sunday to Sunday, between 6am and 5pm. It added that in cases where the customer is not at home or the meter is not visible to the reader, customers should make special provisions to have their meters read. GPL’s billing services, which can be contacted on telephone number 226-4015/16, can provide further information on this service.
GPL also advised customers to ensure GPL meter readers present a valid GPL’s Employee Identification Card at all times. The front side of the cards should bear a visible photograph of the person, the name and designation and the reverse side should indicate the Company’s Deputy Human Resources Manager’s signature and date of employment, it noted.
The company also encouraged customers to visit its website www.gplinc.com for information on the positioning/relocating of meters to facilitate readings.
