Latest update January 1st, 2025 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Keeping the public informed

Mar 27, 2012 Editorial

 

 

 

The Public Utilities Commission hosted a forum that allowed the public to ask questions of Guyana Power and Light. Indeed, the electricity company has long been the company that the society loves to hate, regardless of whether they are bona fide consumers or not.
The issues included billing, technical losses which are in effect losses due to transmission and generation problems, commercial losses, moves to improve generating capacity and some of the measures designed to improve the system. Underlying all this was the absence of money.
Traditionally, public companies in Guyana have been known to operate with little or need to answer to the public. For example, the power company has been known to hike rates without any consultation with the public, not that such consultations would matter but more often than not, people only became aware when they received a bill.
Monday’s forum was different and the public really sought answers to some sensitive issues. For example, there is the question of estimated billing. There is a ruling that no more than two bills should be estimated. The power company says that because of manpower issues it has been forced to estimate more than the stipulated number of bills.
One explanation was that many homeowners would not be at home when the meter readers visit, or that there may be vicious dogs, or that people would simply not respond. In recent memory, we were told that meter readers were provided with an instrument that permitted them to scan meters from a distance. Obviously these are no longer in use.
Then there is the issue of consumers paying for those who refuse to pay. The public learnt this when the company spoke about electricity theft. Again, it is blaming manpower for being unable to adequately patrol the system in pursuit of electricity thieves.
The media have from time to time reported on people who died trying to establish illegal connections, but this does not seem to deter others from bluntly refusing to pay for electricity. More than 30 per cent of consumers steal electricity, but the power company does not lose that money. Any shortfall is borne by the people who pay for the current they use.
The public forum revealed that the situation is no better in Jamaica and in the Dominican Republic. What it suggests is that over the years the power companies in these countries never invested on safeguards against theft.  The result is that people can make direct connections to the power supply that passes their way.
It would be an exercise in futility to ask the power company to institute such safeguards. It turns out that it could cost as much as a mini hydroelectric project to simply protect electricity theft. And even if that money is spent, the big question is whether the consumer would be prepared to pay more. So there is therefore a most interesting situation of people paying for electricity that is stolen, but the very consumer would not be prepared for a system that could see an end to such theft.
It would seem that this would never change, because at the public forum the GPL officials spoke of repeat offenders. These are people who were caught stealing electricity, prosecuted and simply returned to the scene to repeat the exercise. It must be that the penalty or the punishment is simply not a deterrent.
The solution to electricity theft may rest with very harsh punishment that would make people think many times before continuing an act that is costly to the consumer. In some countries, acts of dishonesty fetch a high price. Performing the same act three times or even three different acts can earn very long prison terms.
This recommendation would not have meant much at Monday’s forum because the power company cannot influence legislation. And people did not even think about halting electricity theft because for them it is a bibulous fact. They are more interested in a regular supply of power. That may be why they were so interested in the power company’s generating capability, and the cost of renting generating turbines.
They have since learnt that the power is no longer renting anything but this does not mean an end to power outage.
The power company should not be the only one to face the public; it must be so for the telephone companies and the water company. It must be so for every entity that offers a service to the public.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional boxing

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional...

Dec 31, 2024

By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports- In the rich tapestry of Guyanese sports, few names shine as brightly as Keevin Allicock. A prodigious talent with the rare blend of skill, charisma, and grit, Allicock...
Read More
Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for 2025 CWI Regional Four-Day Tournament

Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for...

Dec 31, 2024

The business end has arrived, a place in the final is at stake tomorrow night

The business end has arrived, a place in the...

Dec 31, 2024

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project...

Dec 31, 2024

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind Drakes 5 goal spree, Botafago humble Capital Fc 8-3

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind...

Dec 31, 2024

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO against Ramirez

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO...

Dec 30, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]