Port Kaituma suffers one month in darkness

Nov 24, 2019 News

Residents of Port Kaituma, Region One, North West District (NWD) are a bit concerned with the length of time taken by the Guyana power and Light Corporation (GPL) to restore electricity.

The PKPL Power Station.

A mechanic who works along with the Port Kaituma Power Light (PKPL) in the community claimed that about a month back the generator experienced a mechanical failure.
He said that the “engine head” was completely damaged and had to be sent out on the aircraft for repairs.
But one month has passed and he is still awaiting word from his superiors, on whether the part has been repaired.
A concerned and affected business man told Kaieteur News yesterday that the community was made aware of the mechanical issues with the generator. He said that they were also told that the repairs won’t take more than two weeks to complete.
The businessman explained that as a result he is forced to suffer major losses. He claimed that a number of his fresh meat products are often “spoilt” due to the lack of electricity.
He said that at the moment he cannot afford a 5000W generator to power his freezers. He depends heavily on the Power Station for electricity.
The businessman told reporters that because the entire community is affected, ice, which is used as an alternative to maintain his meats fresh, is scarce and difficult to find.
It was also highlighted that even though there are number businesses and residents who own small generators, most of the time it is not used because of high fuel cost.
Earlier this year after neighbouring Venezuela suffered shortages of fuel, the price for a gallon of gasoline in Port Kaituma has reached $2000.
On the other hand, residents of the community explained that even though they can survive without electricity, the area of concern is the community mortuary.
They expressed discontent with the number of bodies housed at the mortuary and are decomposing.
Kaieteur News understands that this is one of the main reasons behind the recent disorderly behaviour of a relative of diseased Lennox Jones (Ratty), at the Port Kaituma Airport.
The relative of the dead man, a recent accident victim, wanted the body to be transported on the aircraft bound for Georgetown without a body bag. The relative explained that he was afraid that the “body would spoil”.
As matter fact, the body of Kim Cato who also died in the same accident, was buried in a decomposed state.
The residents also said that late as Friday afternoon, two more partially decomposed bodies were forced to be buried without the arrival of their families.
Back in 2011, the then assistant Regional Executive Officer (REO), Dean Seecharan, officially announced that Port Kaituma would have received electricity from a $171M project, funded by Inter American Development Bank (IDB).
Up to press time, GPL was unable to confirm if the company was made aware of the necessary repairs to be done.
However, the company has promised to look in to the matter immediately and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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