Even as efforts are being made to supply round-the-clock electricity to Lethem residents from next month, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds is expected to meet residents next week Wednesday to discuss issues relating to energy supply in the region.

During a telephone interview on Friday, Regional Chairman of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) Clarindo Lucas said the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for the energy sector, will be meeting with residents “to sensitize them” about the plans for the community’s energy sector. Lucas stated that this will be an open forum where residents can raise their concerns as it relates to the new system.

Lethem resident Clairmont Lye, in a recent letter to this newspaper, had complained that Lethem residents had not been notified by the Lethem Power Company (LPC) or regional officials about the plan to provide 24-hour electricity to the community.

Meanwhile, Lucas said that the LPC has returned to providing 18 hours of electricity to the residents, from 7 am to 1 am. Prior to the official commissioning of the Takutu Bridge, a second generator was acquired to provide 24-hour electricity to the community for this occasion. However, the LPC experienced some technical difficulties in setting up this generator, forcing Lethem residents to deal with an erratic power supply.