Residents of Port Kaituma say that mismanagement of the Port Kaituma Power and Light Company has caused them to suffer from poor electricity services, as some operators of the company are awaiting payment for their services.
According to businessman Rio Cardona, since he returned to Port Kaituma in May, the service has been poor. He also stated that most of the time during the day there is no electricity in the area. He said power is available late at nights, but only for a few hours. Cardona said he had enquired and was told by one of the operators that the frequent blackouts were due to a lack of fuel.
However, contacted yesterday, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Port Kaituma Power and Light Company Margaret Lambert said the company had a problem with the generator due to an operator not turning it off when the weather was bad.
To rectify this, it cost the company some $8 million. She said electricity was unavailable for a week. And as it relates to operators not being paid, she said that as they are now generating, operators will be paid.
Richard Allen, a former member of parliament, who also resides in Port Kaituma said the company is being mismanaged, resulting in losses to businesses and residents.
Allen is also a member of the Board of Directors of the power company.
Meanwhile, one of the operators, who wished not to be named, told this newspaper yesterday that he had not been paid, but that during a meeting yesterday, he was informed by the Chairperson that by tomorrow, operators would start receiving money and in a week’s time everyone will be paid in full.
