Burnt out resident expresses disgust with GPL

Nov 21, 2010 News

“I am fed up, having to seek lodging at my mother. I do not have a home and I am not close to owning one soon. And after being treated so unfairly by the Guyana Power Light and a section of the Region Two administration, at present I am at a loss at what next to do.”
That was how aggrieved, rural constable, Orin Belfield, described his current dilemma. He recently lost his three-bedroom home to fire.
The frustrated man said the only thing he now owns, is his life and those of his immediate family. In a recent interview, he said that losing his home constitutes a major setback. He vented his strong disgust at still having to be rescued by his mother.

Orin Belfield and two of his homeless children

Additionally, Belfield said that he is more confused, after being given the royal run-around by Guyana Power and Light.
Belfield said senior personnel are insistent that he produces quotations and receipts of all of the electrical appliances, which were destroyed in the fire.
According to him, on a recent visit to the Anna Regina branch, senior GPL personnel were insistent that he produces all of his receipts, plus quotations. Belfield said that is impossible since everything was lost in the fire.
He said on the day of the Fire, a senior engineer was present at the scene and officers who inspected debris from the fire cautioned him not to remove the meter which is erected outside of the mangled house.
The frustrated policeman said on previous visits at the local office, he was advised to submit a list of items that were destroyed. Belfield said that he had done that in the first place and to date he is encountering a tough time with GPL employees.
The fire service at Anna Regina has concluded that the Belfield fire was electrical in origin. The fireman stressed that due to several complaints that were reported by Belfield to the electrical company they were able to make that determination.
Belfield said that since his plight, several kind hearted persons have been forthcoming with both financial and tangible donations.
He would like to thank Regional Vice Chairman, Vishnu Samaroo, for donating three loads of sand. He expressed similar gratitude to the mother’s union and others who have reached out to him.
Belfield lost his three bedroom home on August 25, last.