By BERT WILKINSON

A FULLY-RECONDITIONED 10-mega­watt power barge from the US is to be hooked-up to the Guyana Electricity Cor­poration system by the end of February, but blackouts will continue until new gen­eration facilities are built and until an IDB-funded rehabilitation of generating sta­tions is completed, it was announced here last weekend.

The barge, along with “a stock of spares,” and two expatriate maintenance engineers, has been acquired as an emergency measure to support the troubled corporation, which up to last week Monday, experienced its fifth shutdown for the year.

Deputy Prime Minis­ter, Utilities, Robert Corbin told reporters at a Film Centre Press briefing that govern­ment “had to do a lot of financial manoeuvrings” to acquire the US$2.5m to obtain the barge on a lease-purchase arrangement.

Diesel Systems Incor­porated, a California-based firm are the sup­pliers, while the cor­poration’s Garden of Eden station will be the berthing site for the barge.

“We have signed an agreement with the sup­pliers to deliver it to the nearest point, Houston in the United States, where we would be responsible for it. We will then have to ship it across here…so that based on all the arrangements at the moment, we anticipate that towards the end of February we will have the barge here to hook-up,” Corbin said, noting that the final installation date could not be out by more than two weeks.

Corbin also confirmed that government “is still actively pursuing” efforts to push ahead with the 30-megawatt steam facility with the Italians and the British, while the Japanese have completed a Phase One preliminary report on Guyana’s long-term electricity needs.

Asked about reports that government had turned down a British offer for a barge, Corbin said he was not aware of it, but he stressed, throughout the briefing, that generation problems are linked to the construction of new stations and the completion of the already-announced IDB rehabilitation of several GEC stations.

The DPM also said that studies indicate that the further life­span of the Kingston systems after the re­hab is nine years, and after that it is likely to become even more unreliable.

He contended that a barge is the best of any standby facilities, since others require structures and infra­structures — increasing the waiting time.

Meanwhile, the DPM said there have been no serious discussions with the Venezuelans to ob­tain hydro power from the Guri Dam, reputed to be the world’s larg­est. He said talks have been held generally at the level of the Joint Commission.

He did say, however, that Guyana’s long­term aim is to develop its own hydro power systems, but confirmed earlier reports that no specific programmes have been finalised as yet.

Some customers have complained in the last two days that the volt­age supply at night has been low and has not been adequate to turn on their fluorescent lights. Light bulbs have also glowed at far less than normal brightness and there is concern whether this current will damage equipment.

The Downfall of Mister Griffith

(by CECIL GRIFFITH)

I’VE BEEN a victim of one of the City Council’s open manholes, and it has been a harrowing experience to say the least.

It happened last Wednesday afternoon when the City and coastal areas were inundated by water from heavy rains.

The story begins with my decision late in the afternoon to venture out from my Car­michael Street home to the United States In­formation Service of­fice on Main Street to uplift certain docu­ments.

Taking the eastern side of Carmichael Street, I discovered that Middle Street like Car­michael was under about two feet of water, and so I waded through to Quamina Street, hoping that by making a detour, the situation would im­prove, floodwise.

But this was not to be, Quamina Street was also under about two feet of water. Undaunt­ed I set out for Main Street, and my destination, wading through the water on the street heading west.

The time was about 5 pm. and Quamina Street was nearly de­serted, as cars and other vehicles swept by spray­ing the water left and right on the few people who like me had no al­ternative but to grin and bear the wetting. This was too much for me and I sought refuge by walking on the pavement. This was my undoing.

Just as I had waded through about four paces in the murky water, taking careful steps I saw a dark patch on the pavement and soldiered on…down I went…it was an open manhole.

Within seconds I had pulled myself out wet from chest to feet and nursing a 6-inch bruise on my left shin and a torn pants.

One of three women who were ahead of me, but walking on the street, commiserated with me, suggesting that I seek medication immediately I got home.

I did not make it to the USIS building, in­stead I sought the sug­gested medication from a pharmacist friend at a well-known Water Street drug store.

As of writing I am still nursing a bruised left shin which is now swollen and a painful right-hip.

My colleagues on hear­ing my tale have all re­acted by showing some sympathy while at the same time having the last laugh, saying, “now you can write with more feeling, when the City Council discusses the open manhole pro­blem.”

This is some consolation. Maybe 1 will con­sult my lawyers or should I?…since this is the time of ‘peace and goodwill.’