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Street lighting main focus as City Hall calls for ‘tripartite assembly’

Jun 19, 2013 News

By Zena Henry
The Mayor and City Council following ‘blackout’ threats last week has proposed that tripartite talks be held between the Municipality, Government and Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL). Mayor Hamilton Green told reporters that during discourse with GPL, issues other than Council’s inability to pay its electricity bill were recognized and it was agreed that the government should get involved.
“There are very complex issues and because of that, GPL’s management saw no difficulty in the proposal our delegation made, that for us to find a proper modus operandi (method of operation) and to advance our relationship, we need the input of the central government.”
A letter was thus dispatched to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds -who holds the electricity portfolio -last week, but the Mayor said yesterday, when asked, that the Council is yet to receive a response. Green mentioned that the letter outlines to the Minister the challenges City Hall faces, while requesting a date for further discussions into electricity bill payments.
Among the issues that need to be addressed, the Mayor stressed on the question of street lights, which according to the Council, contributes to the bulk of electricity payments. The cost for street lights, he said, makes up 86.8 percent of what is due to GPL monthly. The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was described as the lighting authority for the city. “It is our responsibility,” Mayor Green stated. “We have made it clear to the government and the private sector, that thanks to the strangulation taking place since 1994, the M&CC cannot afford to pay for street lighting.”
For this reason, the Council’s delegation had proposed to GPL that the street lights should be cut off. The suggestion came when GPL threatened to cut the power from the municipality, commencing with City Hall. The Council had argued strongly that this could not be done because it would ultimately mean the non-functioning of the M&CC. The Mayor said, too, that the idea of cutting street lights, it was hoped, would have forced the government to deal with the electricity issue since there would be serious security ramifications.
Mayor Green went on to register his surprise when the Council was reminded by GPL of a piece of legislation made law in 1999 which gives the power company authority to cut off whichever part of an entity they choose – in this case, GPL was ready to start with the Council’s head office. The Mayor at this point opined that there was a greater motive behind moves to cut the Council’s main vein, stating that the matter begs to be viewed in a wider context.
He continued that GPL has proposed the use of a special type of lamp to be used for street lighting – mercury vapour lamps which would significantly reduce duty charges. They also say that the Council operates some 2000 street lights, but an initial survey suggests that there are 1800 more lamps installed by individuals and the private sector, who do not pay for the energy.
It was suggested by GPL that the Council get these persons to chip in on the utility bill. With the inclusion of the government, Green noted that the idea could be taken on board, giving private persons authority to pay for these lights directly to GPL.
The Council has however embarked on an audit of all city lights, in a quest to justify the monthly bill and to ensure they are not being billed for non-operating lights.
The Mayor reiterated calls for a tripartite assembly pointing out that much needs to be done about the street light situation and “the stifling of the Council in their attempts to broaden its revenue base.” Green charged that street lights are a grave matter of citizen security, “so since you (government) have choked the lighting authority, you should pay for it.”

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