23,000 illegal connections found, 800 prosecuted but only two jailed

May 01, 2009 News

The Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) continues to struggle to deal with the issue of electricity theft in the country. The rampant stealing of electricity persists despite various strategies implemented by the power company to curb this issue, according to the management of the power company.
At a press conference, yesterday, hosted by GPL at NCN Studios, Chairman of the GPL Board, Winston Brassington, said that between 2007 and 2008, the company identified approximately 23,000 illegal connections with raids conducted.
Of those numbers, about 800 persons were taken to court and to date only 98 have been fined and only two have gone to jail.

Brassington said that electricity theft is increasing and is having a significant impact on the company.
“Our loss reduction increased last year and we believe that electricity theft is increasing. We have given you indications of the problems we face and the other area that maybe adding to it is the significant expansion of the grid through the unserved area electrification programme,” Brassington noted.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the company, Bharat Dindyal, said that no sooner than they remove the wires that the people put them back; the issue is widespread and a major challenge to the company.
Due to this, the power company decided to change its strategy, and is now conducting night raids, but this too has its dangers.

Thus far, massive exercises have been completed in areas like Albouystown and Le Penitence.
“If you go into Albouystown right now, you will see illegal wires being connected…so what we have found is that if you go and repeatedly remove the wires and persons don’t get into serious trouble with the courts, it is no deterrent…they keep doing it all the time.”

Prime Minister Sam Hinds urged for this issue to be dealt with and called for the majority of persons who do not steal electricity to object and to take all action to bring the illegal activities of the others to an end.
“I don’t want to send people to jail, I don’t want to take people to court, but we have to end this culture of stealing electricity…It just has to come to an end…We will have to make the effort that is required,” Prime Minister Hinds said.
It was also noted that GPL has built infrastructure to connect 35,000 new households, but the legal connection to GPL at the end of last year was only 36 per cent.
(Fareeza Haniff).

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23,000 illegal connections found, 800 prosecuted but only two jailed

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