Brazil company said to be interested in repairing Moco Moco hydro plant

Dear Editor,

Head of the Privatization Unit and Chairman of the Guyana Power Company, Mr Winston Brassington has disclosed that a proposal from a Brazilian Company, Incomex, for the rehabilitation of the Moco Moco Hydro project in Region 9 is being studied with a view to have it once again serviceable to accommodate the growing demand for electricity in the Lethem area with the imminent opening of the Takutu bridge.

At a meeting held at Savannah Inn, Lethem, on Saturday December 6th with members of the Lethem Power Company and members of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with the Regional Administration, the Chamber expressed their concern for an improved service of electricity in Lethem and are calling for a speedy connection of some 50 households who are waiting to be connected to the Lethem grid, but due to the capacity of the generator those residents cannot be connected.

They are also calling for a 24 hour service of electricity in the border town. At present consumers receive 18 hours of electricity starting from 7 am daily and also there are no street lights.

It was disclosed at the meeting that the life of the Power Company Board expired a long time ago and the Chamber is calling for a new board to be installed urgently to ensure the needs of the community are satisfied.

It was stated that most members of the board from the private sector had resigned because of frustration about the way management operates and it is hoped government will quickly resolve the situation since the Executive Chairman Mr. John Fredericks has tendered his resignation with effect from December 31st 2008.

It was noted that an urgent review is needed since at present there is no engineer or any technical personnel to oversee the plant.

Mr Brassington said that should there be an increase in power and an improved service, consumers will have to pay more for the service and he called on those present at the public meeting at the Arapaima Primary School to be prepared for an increase.

One resident suggested that there should be a 50% increase which would be $45 per kilowatt, and Mr Brassington said that over a period of time it is hoped that consumers will be able to pay the total cost or most of it.

Chamber members said that they are aware that an increase in the electricity rate is inevitable and are willing to pay an increase but they would like to have a proper and reliable 24-hour service.

It was noted that already business places have been broken into and goods and money stolen during the period when there is no electricity. The business community is in the process of organising a security group to protect their businesses.

Yours faithfully,
 Alfred Ramsaran
Lethem