Dear Editor,
It gives me great pleasure to finally publicly express my disgust at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) which continues to take Guyanese for granted through consistent blackouts.
It is very sad to know that in the 21st century, when people are supposed to enjoy the basic necessity of electricity for the minimum comfort, a company which generates billions of dollars annually still fails to provide 20th century services.
I am a student of the University of Guyana who resides at Middle Road, La Penitence, and after retiring to bed at 2:00am on Friday last, after completing my routine study, I was awakened at 4:07am. Not surprisingly, a blackout just around that time had forced a change in temperature which did not facilitate sleeping.
Querying with GPL immediately via telephone on what the cause of the blackout was and when I could expect electricity, I was informed by a Mr. Braithwaite, that the root cause of the issue was unknown and it would be rectified at 7:00 am the same morning.
I sought to further question why it would take this long.
If my memory serves correctly, just last week I was at home compiling research material for an assignment at about 9:06 am when another blackout struck.
Questioning what the cause of the blackout was, I was informed that “upgrades were being done” by an individual whose name has slipped my memory. He gladly told me however that electricity would be back by 5:00 the same afternoon, some eight hours later. This indeed was the case which forced me to travel to a relative living on the east coast to complete my work.
I find it totally unacceptable that in this day and age, Guyanese must continue to live uncomfortably and suffer for a basic necessity at the hands of GPL.
What is even more unacceptable is the fact that the company is one which is prompt to disconnect electricity should one miss a payment deadline, but refuses to focus more of their energies on providing better services for Guyanese. I think it is time to break the monopoly and disrespect.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
