Dear Editor,
It was with great shock that I read in the papers about GPL’s “campaign” to catch the “pirates” who have found a new way to “steal” current. These “pirates” happen to be those who have put security lights up on the streets. Here we have fearful and insecure people, trying to make a bit of peace of mind around their homes, being branded as thieves and pirates.
One would think that GPL was being callous taking such a stance so soon after Lusignan and Bartica. Incidentally GPL, these same lights are up in Lusignan. Are they going to be removed too?
Are the folks living there going to be made to pay $3400 monthly for each light? Are they thieves and pirates too?
Also, if GPL has already worked out that these lights cost them $3400 monthly, why would they want to have consumers put a meter on them if the consumers want these lights on the posts? Wouldn’t such a thing be a waste of money?
It’s not enough that we have to suffer daily blackouts, but now we are not allowed to have safe streets any more. But then I contradict myself, the lights don’t work anyway with all the blackouts.
Yours faithfully,
Nyall Jodhan
It would be nice to see GPL seek ways and means to install solar pannels on the top of the light poles as gifts to the communities who pay their bills on time and keep them in business. These solar lights tap the sun’s energy and store it in batteries. They are relatively affordable and can provide over 12 hours of light covering the entire night. Maintenance is almost neglible and there is no need to utilize expensive fuel to keep the vulnerable areas well lighted.
Property owners can also help themselves by installing similar lights on the outer parts of their buildings if they are truly concerned about the dangers of being in the dark. These lights will keep on lighting even if there is a power failure.
I’m afraid you don’t understand Chris. These are lights put up on the “light poles” as you call them. Lantern posts as they are known here. Only there are no lights, or lanterns on them.
This being so, anybody can traverse the streets without being seen, much less identified.
Solar lights are fine for property owners. What about the poor ones like us who can’t afford them?
Think about this: a small 80W solar panel costs $99,000 here. That’s like US$500 here. That’s like 2 months salary for the average (well, above average in Guyana) worker’s salary.
How are we supposed to afford that? And we haven’t even bought the lamp and battery yet.
Incidentally, aren’t street lights supposed to be part of INFRASTRUCTURE that is supposed to be put in place by the government and PAID for by OUR tax dollars?
Also, I forgot to mention. Those found caught doing this will be fined and jailed for one year. Common thieves we are.