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GWI seeks to verify connection status of customers
…approx. 200 illegal connections found in one week
By: Suraj Narine
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is currently conducting an exercise to ensure that the connection status of its customers coincides with what is stated on the company’s database.
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is currently conducting an exercise to ensure that the connection status of their customers, coincidence with what is stated on the company’s database.
Executive Director of Commercial Services and Customers Relations, Marlon Daniels, yesterday, reported that despite accounts being listed as disconnected at the GWI, physical checks have revealed otherwise.
The countrywide exercise was launched only last week and already contractors attached to the state-owned entity would have stumbled upon approximately 200 cases of this nature, the official said.
Daniels stated that the regularisation of squatting lands had resulted in the change of addresses in some areas – this is being exploited by persons.
He expounded that the address listed in the GWI database differs from the address which another person from the same household – who was disconnected in the past – would use to apply.
This would have slipped under the radar of the GWI because different names and addresses did not warrant any suspicion at that time, Daniel explained.
However, checks would reveal that the lots are one and the same.
Daniels said that the GWI intends to remove these services and give customers time to visit the authority to “regularise’ their status. He added that some of these customers would have already made contact with the GWI to do so.
He was quizzed about the many reports that would have surfaced in the past about contractors attached to the state-owned entity being involved in scams. They would reportedly receive monies to covertly reconnect delinquent customers.
The officials in response spoke about contractors being dealt with ‘condignly’ whenever these reports are made.
“That is an illegal act. It is not something that GWI allows. It’s totally against our policy; against honesty and integrity,” Daniels said.
He added that thus far, he has not received any reports for the year which suggest unethical practices by contractors.
Meanwhile, during an early morning exercise yesterday at Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara, a reported confrontation ensued between GWI contractors and a resident.
Commenting on the issue, Daniels said that contractors were reportedly attacked by a cutlass wielding resident. The police were quickly summoned and peace was restored.
Approximately 20 services were removed from the area yesterday with some customers already making attempts to rectify their accounts.
To get an idea of how much monies are being lost through these illegal connections, Daniels spoke about the Enmore debt – for this category of customers – being just in excess of $12M.
One customer reportedly owes the GWI $93,000.
A few months ago, GWI was the victim of a vicious cyber attack which rendered several systems that deals with payments inoperable.
Technicians were able to get the systems up and running with investigations ongoing, a source from the GWI confirmed yesterday.
“What is happening now has nothing to do with the cyber attack. This situation existed prior to the cyber attack and our task was to verify that they are disconnected.” Daniels confirmed yesterday.
Last August, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles disclosed that the utility company has recovered some $1.8 Billion from outstanding debts since the change of its administration a little under a year and a half ago.
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