Dear Editor,
Please afford me some space, thank you. When I received (in early February) billing month January’s GPL bill it showed that my previous reading, done in December 13th, was 1183. It also showed that my current reading, done in Jan 13th, was 1787. That translated to a charge of $26,583. I was shocked. Usually I burn around $4,000 per month. I went immediately to my meter (on Feb 8th) and, as I suspected, the meter reader read it wrong. It said 1366. I called Onverwagt thinking I could fix this over a phone call. But who tell me ‘fuh tink suh’? Me was wrong. The person who answered the phone told me that I would have to come in. I told her that I was willing to spend my phone minutes while she fixed the problem. Then I got another surprise. She doesn’t have a computer with her. She said that she only answers the phone. Somebody else has the computer and I would have to come in.
I didn’t ask her but I thought wryly that her job was probably to tell people to come in. I spent many years away from Guyana and I didn’t realize that this antiquated system still exists in 2023. Why would you not have one station, at least, doing a full query and redress to cater for people who find it difficult to come in, I don’t know. Not everyone have the time or inclination to come in. So for GPL’s mistake I have to interrupt my schedule, spend time and money, and go in to fix this problem. I tried calling Georgetown but the phone rings out. So no luck there. Now I have to say this. I hate going to GPL’s office. No particular reason except a general dislike for going to all public offices. Long ago some genius person or system in GPL decided that one L in my name was not enough. So they added another L. The bill, which was fine for several years, changed my name from Colin to Collin. I so dislike going to their office that I have never gone in to rectify that error even though it’s been years now.
Back to the bill. Suddenly I got a brainwave. I’m going to go to Facebook and complain. Maybe I’ll get some help there and everything could be done over the internet. After stating my case on the GPL page I received a message to provide a picture of my meter with the current reading. I sent it on Feb 8th. It read 1366. You know, I never heard back anything from them. Anyway, I decided not to do anything on the assumption that the Feb meter reading would reveal to them their mistake and they would do the adjustment and I wouldn’t have to go in at all. I looked online on Sun Feb 26th and saw new charges on the Feb bill and right away knew more errors were piling on top of the previous ones. On Sunday and Monday, 26th & 27th Feb, I messaged GPL Facebook and asked about an update and they ignored me, as they have been doing since Feb 8th.
Now this new bill comes. It says billing month February. Previous reading 1377, done Jan 13th. Remember, the last bill said 1787 done Jan 13th! Wow! This new bill says current reading 1571, done on Feb 12th. The darn meter hasn’t even reached there yet! As I write this letter it says 1425. GPL changed one reading from 1787 to 1377 but, now hear this, they never adjusted the $26, 583 that they erroneously overcharged me. They dumped all that money into the new bill while also inflating the new reading! Is cricket in de jungle, bhai!
So now it looks like GPL is incapable of fixing this Standard 4 problem and I really would have to go in. But I am not sure yet what to do. On one hand I want to not do anything and see how this plays out. But at the back of my mind the thought comes to me that I cannot trust this incompetent, pathetic company to do the right thing. They could disconnect me even though THEY OWE ME MONEY! Yes, They owe me money. I always pay many months in advance and let them deduct my charges every month. However, now their new bill says I owe them $21, 000. I should take them to court and let them show how I owe them money. Hrmmph! So, who knows, based on that they could come and disconnect me. I wouldn’t trust them further than I could throw them.
Let me just give a quick breakdown of the meter readings for clarity sake. Reading by GPL on Dec 13th- 1183. On Jan 13th – 1787. My reading on Feb 8th- 1366. Then on this month’s bill GPL changed their Jan 13th number of 1787 to 1377. And put their current reading at 1571. As I said before, the meter hasn’t even reached 1571. It is at 1425! Except for the thought of disconnection I really would like to look on as they contort themselves on each bill.
Sincerely,
Colin Samaroo
