Extended power outages in Essequibo are due to maintenance works on generators, according to Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) spokesperson Wadecia Donald.
Donald, asked about outages in the county, told Stabroek News that GPL has been conducting maintenance work on two diesel-engine generators and as a result customers are experiencing the disruptions.
In a letter published in Monday’s edition of Stabroek New, writer Mohammed Khan said residents have been experiencing 12-hour outages daily‒6 hours in the morning and 6 hours at night—with no explanation.
According to Donald, the outages would have been scheduled, with customers experiencing outages between Anna Regina and La Union from 12pm to 6pm, and between Lima and Charity from 6pm to 12am. However, she assured that the company is working to reduce the power outages in the county and that it will continue to inform the public of scheduled power disruptions.
Khan lamented the impact of the situation on school children. He said when the power is off, children who are attending school cannot get water to bathe and study at nights. He went on to say not only children are affected but workers who work in the wee hours of the morning. “Our family cannot see to prepare our meals, so we go to work without food. The little babies are suffering with the heat and mosquitoes because there is no electricity to power fans or air conditioners,” he added.
Khan called on the government and the utility company to replace the generators if they are “old and outdated.”
He also noted that some residents are “looking to buy their own solar panels and standby generating sets because they cannot depend on GPL anymore.”
“The Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson has to act quickly or else more of our appliances will be damaged and houses put at risk of fire,” he also said, having related his own experience with a fire due to the fluctuating power supply.
Donald, when questioned about damage to appliances that customers may suffer, said they would need to visit their local GPL office and make a report immediately. “If it happens in the night, the next morning the customer should visit the office,” she added.
She explained that the company has a procedure that needs to be followed before customers can be reimbursed for claims.
