GPL: A case study in nepotism and decline  

Nov 13, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) has long been plagued by inefficiency, underperformance, and public frustration. But if we are still pretending that the problem is technical, let us stop. The real issue is political and it wears the badge of the “Friends, Family, and Favourites” party, where the red carpet is rolled out for the well-connected and the underqualified.

The latest episode in this tragic sitcom features a very senior official at the Ministry of Public Utilities, who, within mere months, orchestrated a personnel shuffle that would make even the most seasoned nepotist blush. A most competent and respected woman was quietly removed, and in her place, the official’s family member (one of the Fs in the FFF) —let us call her “Miss GG” was elevated to act in a senior role. Her qualifications? Let us just say they are not the reason she got the job.

Miss GG’s journey through GPL is a masterclass in political privilege. Miss G’s entry into the Procurement Department at GPL did not follow standard recruitment protocols. Her appointment appears to have been facilitated by familial ties to a sitting Minister within a Ministry, a connection she has reportedly emphasised in workplace interactions. This perceived bypassing of merit-based hiring raises concerns about institutional integrity, staff morale, and the broader implications of political patronage within public sector operations.

Reports indicate that Miss GG’s attendance at GPL is irregular, with frequent absences and early departures unreported to superiors. Despite this, her compensation remains unaffected. In contrast, standard staff face salary deductions for minor infractions, such as clocking out mere minutes early. Attempts by team leaders to address the discrepancy have reportedly stalled, suggesting a culture of impunity rooted in political affiliation. Such practices undermine operational equity and erode institutional credibility.

And just when you thought the saga had peaked, Miss GG was swiftly promoted to act as a manager without the requisite qualifications or experience and then, faster than a blackout rolls through the grid, she was installed as manager of this section.

If Guyanese are wondering why GPL cannot deliver reliable service, here is your answer: the FFF party installs individuals who lack basic understanding of their roles, while sidelining those who do. The result? Frequent blackouts, poor customer service, and a demoralised workforce.

The high official at the Public Utilities Ministry has now become a central character in GPL’s nepotistic drama. His tenure has not just continued the trend it has accelerated it. And this is not his first rodeo. Enter Miss JL, a close associate of the official who championed the promotion of one Miss “Highly Competent” – we will call this one Miss SP. But before that endorsement, Miss SP had already wreaked havoc in GPL’s Customer Service Division. Her tenure was marked by misinformation, confusion, blatant lies that, when exposed, dissolved into crying spouts and personal narratives about mortgages and children, as if emotional appeals could substitute for accountability. Clearly, it did with Miss JL. Her leadership was so poor that even the department’s director was reportedly relieved to see her transferred.

Despite this track record, Miss JL pushed for her promotion. That decision was not just reckless it was expensive. Miss JL, relying on her associate’s misinformation, fired staff without conducting proper due diligence. Now, GPL is facing multiple court cases, and the legal costs are climbing into the millions.

And where is Miss “Highly Competent aka Miss SP” now? Transferred again, this time to the Loss Reduction Section, where she is reportedly recycling the same misinformation that triggered the last crisis. So Guyanese, check your balance twice, especially if it came from Loss Reduction. Because when incompetence is promoted and protected, it does not disappear. It metastasizes.

GPL does not need another reshuffle—it needs a full-scale executive overhaul. We need leadership that values competence over connection, professionalism over partisanship, and accountability over arrogance. Until then, Guyana will continue to suffer the consequences of a utility company run like a family business. This is not just about one minister or one appointment. It is about a culture that rewards so-called loyalty over logic, and nepotism over national interest. And unless we confront it head-on, the lights will keep going out—both literally and figuratively.
 
Yours sincerely,
Jared

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• GPL, Guyana Power and Light, Jared, Letters, nepotism

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