Opposition to put GPL under microscope in Economic Services Committee

May 25, 2014 News

With Chairmanship of the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee expected to be in the Opposition’s court shortly, scrutiny of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) in its entirety is expected to restart shortly.
This is according to Carl Greenidge, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Member of Parliament, who related that the work of the Economic Services Committee is being done in collaboration with the Natural Resources Committee.

Carl Greenidge, APNU’s Parliamentarian

Greenidge related that the Economic Services Committee chaired by Government’s Member of Parliament Manzoor Nadir was supposed to be focusing on the efficiency of GPL since the Administration continues to pour billions into the energy company which is facing a loss.
But, to the dismay of the Opposition the attention has been shifted because Government wants to push and justify the almost US$1B Amaila Hydropower Plant. He believes this is also a diversion from GPL being put under the microscope.
As such, scrutiny of GPL in terms of plans for the organization, management of human and financial resources, technical and commercial losses, etc has been put on the back burner. Greenidge assured that with the inevitable change of chairmanship to an Opposition Member of Parliament, the focus would be shifted back to the original mandate of the Committee.
The Committee under the chairmanship of the Opposition would also look at the execution of large projects; preparation of the system to utilize the additional power to come from hydropower; and the movement of power from generation to consumers.
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh in his 2014 Budget presentation related that in 2013, Government invested $10.6B in the energy sector to facilitate several developments. GPL would have benefited from a substantial amount to complete two new substations at Sophia and Good Hope and continue works on five others. Monies were also used to rehabilitate and extend transmission and distribution networks, frequency conversion, and installation of 8,846 prepaid meters, 785 Itron meters and 1,800 smart meters.
This year, $7.7B is budgeted to be invested in the energy sector with over $200M slated for the implementation of activities targeting improved management capacity and capabilities, operational efficiency and loss reduction.
He noted that four new substations are expected to be completed at Liliendaal, Ruimveldt, Golden Grove and Columbia, and the substation at Onverwagt will be upgraded. Transmission lines will be installed from Columbia to Onverwagt and new fibre optic cables will be laid from Sophia to Garden of Eden. According to Dr. Singh, as it relates to interventions promoting loss reduction, the rehabilitation and reconfiguration of distribution networks will continue unabated in order to improve efficiency.
The re-metering programme using smart meters, will continue utilizing modern technology to combat the theft of electricity. These initiatives are critical for the efficiency of GPL, and in ensuring that GPL is prepared to be a capable off-taker for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant.
According to Greenidge, following the conclusion of works on GPL, the Committee will be scrutinizing GuySuCo that was allocated $6B in this year’s Budget. Yearly, Government has been investing in the sugar company that has been struggling to turn around regardless of the injections or “bailouts”.
APNU’s Parliamentarian Dr. Rupert Roopnarine during his 2014 Budget debates said what needs to be squarely faced is that the sugar industry is in deep crisis and will require better management and less wishful thinking.
In the Committee, GuySuCo’s management of resources and personnel, efficiency of Skeldon, fields and competence of managers would come under scrutiny.