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Contractors to face charges for damaging GPL infrastructure
(Kaieteur News) – Contractors and members of the public who damage infrastructure belonging to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. will now face legal action, as the company intensifies efforts to hold offenders accountable.
This was disclosed by head of executive management, Kesh Nandlall, during a recent hearing before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), where he explained that GPL has strengthened its collaboration with the Guyana Police Force to address the issue.
“We have a team of guys that are working very closely with the police. When we have these incidents, we act immediately… there was a lot of charges being meted out to these contractors,” Nandlall told the commission.
Persram Peraud the Divisional Director for Load Reduction (second to last far right) and other members of the GPL executive management team.
The move comes amid growing concerns over repeated damage to utility infrastructure, much of which has been linked not only to vehicular accidents but also to ongoing construction and roadworks across the country.
PUC Chairman, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, stressed that those responsible must be held financially accountable, noting that the burden should not fall on GPL or consumers.
“Has there been any attempt to penalise these contractors… bring them before the courts and make them pay fines?” Gopaul questioned, adding that insurance coverage carried by contractors should be used to offset such damages.
He further warned that the consequences extend beyond power disruptions, pointing out that damage to utility poles often results in severed telephone lines and prolonged service outages in affected communities.
“We can’t continue going there… when you drive around and see posts knocked down at corners, one wonders whether people are driving war tanks on the road,” he remarked, referencing areas such as LBI where such incidents are frequent.
Divisional director for load reduction, Persram Peraud, confirmed a noticeable spike in infrastructure damage, linking it to the increase in road and construction projects nationwide.
“In the last few months, it’s a significant increase,” he said, noting that the rise in damage has also contributed to more frequent power outages.
Under current procedures, GPL assesses the cost of damages and seeks compensation from those responsible. However, officials noted that contractors often fail to notify the company before conducting works near power lines, a requirement intended to prevent such incidents.
In those cases, matters are referred to the police for further action, as GPL moves to clamp down on negligence and protect critical infrastructure.
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