Dear Editor,

Never before have I seen such an unprofessional and distasteful public outburst as last week’s disrespectful attack on the Public Utilities Commission, by no less a person than the CEO of Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Mr Karan Singh.

Friction between entities and their regulators is inevitable, but respect, gentility, cordiality, and constant communication are the tools which smooth out relations. When amicable, mutually agreed positions cannot be reached, and the use of the media and the law courts becomes necessary, relations must be kept cordial because there is always tomorrow, and there will always be another issue to deal with.

It must always be remembered that each entity is only doing what is their interpretation of their job, and in some cases interpretations do not match. The CEO of a company therefore cannot relate to an issue in contention in such a manner on camera, particularly when the issue at hand involves the company’s regulators. The CEO must be as cool as possible, articulate and always appear to be on top of the issue. His emotions must never get the better of him, and he must certainly never fume on camera if he wants to be taken seriously.

I understand that people need to pay their bills and things are tough, but if the PUC has to issue such a strong edict on GWI’s bills then maybe the problem lies with the company. If it does not, a publicly disrespectful and arrogant attitude to the PUC will not help their cause in the short or long term.

Yours faithfully,
Learie C Barclay