GRA clears air on electricity theft claim

Oct 07, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I am disappointed that the Kaieteur News has accused the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) of stealing electricity without conducting a proper investigation.
I am surprised that this media house which has gained some credibility over the years could have dealt with this matter in such a cavalier manner.
While we acknowledge that the media has a responsibility to report the truth, I believed that the trust is information gathered from credible sources which has been researched.
This article which appeared in the paper’s October 3rd edition quoted “a source from GPL”. It is unacceptable to accuse an entity with such as heavy responsible and mandate of a criminal offence as theft on the basis of information gathered from an unnamed source.
Where is the fairness and balance required of journalist? Would it not have been fair to give the GRA the opportunity to respond to such a claim before the article was published?
If this newspaper was responsible to their readers they would have at least sought the GRA’s explanation on this matter before publishing something of this sort.
Nevertheless, I would take this opportunity to provide the facts. Early in 2009 the GRA contracted Cummings Electrical Co. to upgrade its electrical infrastructure at its Anna Regina Office. This was necessary to upgrade the system to accommodate additional computer systems and equipment and to power new air conditioning units installed.
About two months ago, the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL’s) electrical wire (power line) connected to the building sparked and fell to the ground. After the wire was reconnected by GPL the Manager of the Anna Regina Office, Winston Harris asked GPL to examine all connections and systems within the building to ensure that this situation does not reoccur.
Kaieteur News reported that the building is unmetered. If the newspaper would have been responsible enough to check the credibility of their source they would have not reported this lie. There been a meter at this office since the building has been in operation and the officer is regularly billed by GPL.
The fact is that it is Mr. Harris who suggested to GRA that the meter might have led to the sparks and the fallen wire. It is suspected that GPL’s investigation would have revealed that due to the electrical configuration in the building the meter was not reading the electricity usage at the building.
GPL has not informed GRA as to the status of the meter since or the results of their investigation.
This is the fact. I maintain that the Kaieteur News owes the GRA an apology for accusing the entity of electricity theft.
Khurshid Sattaur
Commissioner
General, GRA

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GRA clears air on electricity theft claim

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