No bias in solar panel distribution

Nov 13, 2013 Sports

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– Energy Minister
By Tiffanne Ramphal
While the distribution of 11,000 solar panel systems provided under the Unserved Area Electrification Programme (UAEP) to hinterland communities has been “safely” completed, a notable non-supply of the systems to some communities has resulted in the matter being taken to the country’s highest level meeting.
The question was put forth by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Shadow Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ronald Bulkan, who asked of Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Samuel Hinds, to provide answers describing the process of allocation of the systems to the various communities

in the hinterland.
Among these, questions were pointedly asked to ascertain the basis of prioritizing the allocation of solar panels between villages and households. The MP further questioned whether bias was involved during in the allocations of the systems and how they have been corrected, while asking for an explanation of the system for preventing biased allocations.
According to Bulkan, his posting of the question came after it was revealed during a recent visit by Region Eight Chairman Mark Crawford to communities in the North Pakaraimas that a number of residents there have not yet received the promised solar panels.
According to Bulkan, the residents alleged that the reason for the non-supply was because “some voted for the Opposition” and not for the ruling party during the 2011 General Elections.
In his written answers to the questions posed, the Energy Minister reiterated several times that the intention of the project is to provide every household of almost 200 hinterland communities with a solar panel system.
While acknowledging that there are communities that have not yet received the electricity systems, the Energy Minister insisted that there was no bias involved.
“The order of distribution of systems was influenced by availability of transportation, weather conditions, waterways and roads being passable at particular times, and communications with villages to confirm arrangements to receive and check the systems delivered.”
The Minister explained that Government came up with the total quantity of systems to be obtained (11,000) from a 2010 listing of households in 186 Amerindian communities; the lists identifying the number households in each village.
“During distribution it was found that a few communities were inadvertently overlooked and there was typically an increase of 5% to 10% in the number of households in each village… As a result, the 11,000 systems were insufficient to satisfy all the households in the hinterland villages.”
It was further noted that the shortage was perhaps due to the “growth in the villages during the planning of the project, and possibly some inaccuracies in the database occurring during data compilation.”
As such, according to the Energy Minister, the systems ran out before villages at the end of the delivery line were reached. The villages that were listed as not having yet received solar panel systems were Arau and Kurutuku located in Region Seven; and Taruka, Kaibarupai, Tuseneng and Maikawak in Region Eight.
It seems, however, that the electricity woes of these communities will soon be over as Prime Minister Hinds was quick to add that these villages will soon receive their solar panels.
In his answer, the Minister stated that the villages are scheduled to receive systems by the end of the year or early next year. He said that the Hinterland Electrification Unit (HEU), the unit responsible for accounting for each panel distributed, has recently received bids for the supply of an additional 500 systems. It was noted that new funds were allocated for the acquisition of these additional systems.
Responding to the answers provided, Bulkan expressed that the coalition he represents appreciates the detailed exposé made available by the Energy Minister; however there is still an obligation to “verify the reports in the field.”
“We are happy to learn from the Prime Minister of the intention of the programme, which is to give a system to every hinterland household. But we are going to do a follow up on the ground to find out if the answer he has given is indeed accurate. While we are not suggesting that what he is saying is untrue, but there are instances where the statements of various policy makers have been proven to be inaccurate.”
The APNU MP noted too that he regards some factions of the answer to be unclear and vague, especially in relation to the exact time at which the distribution began. As such, he informed that his next step will be to seek further clarification on areas where it is due.

 

 

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