Following a commitment by President Irfaan Ali earlier this year during a regional outreach to Moleson and Crabwood creeks, Region 6 for the provision of electricity, residents are now beneficiaries, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said on Monday.
After decades of anticipation, the residents who previously relied on solar panels and generators for power, faced challenges in executing daily chores and running businesses.
One of the residents Vashti Richard who spoke to the media on Sunday stated that “growing up without electricity was especially challenging as her family lacked basic amenities such as a refrigerator, television, and internet access. If you wanted to [heat] some food up in the microwave, [we didn’t] had nothing like current [to do that] …,” she said.
Vashti added, “It is a big difference now with the current. Now that we have the current, you can manage a WIFI even though you have to pay the bill, it is better. I have a fridge, a TV and WIFI. I can charge my phone without having to worry about running out of [battery]. I can use a fan. I appreciate the current a lot.”
Nutan Ally, a resident of Crabwood Creek for over ten years, expressed her delight, saying, “We couldn’t put anything in the fridge to cook the next day. We had to buy eggs and sausage. But now, we [can buy] chicken and fish and put everything in our fridge.”
Abid Rahim was equally pleased with Guyana Power and Light Inc.’s prompt response, noting that his meter was installed, and his home connected to the system within two days of applying.
Previously, his family relied on purchasing ice to store meat and beverages in an old freezer. Now that he has access, Rahim shared, “It has saved us a lot of money because we used to call a taxi to buy the ice for us. It is easier for us… I must thank the government for that.”
Royand Persaud stated that the area was very dark before they were provided with electricity. He explained that lamps and solar panels were not always sufficient and reliable.
“Our lives were miserable because we didn’t have current,” Persaud further stated. He continued, “We are very happy with this current in Moleson Creek. The school is very useful to the school children…I can use fairy bulbs to brighten up my place for the Christmas.”
One resident also has plans to establish a grocery in her community to help sustain her family.
Another resident Nazmoon Yasin shared that her family used to spend $12,000 monthly on mobile data for three phones. She also described the challenges of walking long distances daily to retrieve meat and other food items that a close relative stored in her refrigerator.
“Now, it is easier because we have WIFI that everybody can use. And I am using my fridge all of the time,” Yasin stated.
