Dear Editor,
A few weeks ago when there were dire signs of Lethem being once again flooded, the Lethem Power Company (LPC) started rationing electricity supply to 12 hours per day. One assumes that this was done to conserve on the fuel reserves during the expected hard times that were forthcoming because of the rainy season. This rationing was done even though the floods had very little impact on the GT-Lethem road which is the main artery for the fuel supply to LPC.
The water receded over ten days ago and Lethem has returned to normalcy, except for the electricity supply which has remained at 18 hrs per day.
As in previous years, LPC has again been found wanting during these emergency times. Very little has changed to improve the company’s capability to manage this most vital utility during the flood season, despite it having enough evidence from previous years to make the necessary changes to ensure that the community of Lethem is not unduly affected during this period. It is now three consecutive years that Lethem has been flooded, and yet the basic problem that existed with the electricity supply during the first flood still exists up to this time.
Whether this lack of change is directly attributable to the management of LPC or whether it is negligence by the Regional Administration and government officials is a subject of debate.
The location of the LPC compound is where the floodwaters meet, and that is the main problem. As long as this compound is flooded then LPC employees are forced to risk life and limb to provide the limited electricity supply. Eventually when the risks become too high the company is forced to shut off electricity altogether.
From the first flood a few years ago various government ministers, including the Prime Minister, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Amerindian Affairs and other senior government functionaries have visited Lethem and consulted with the local residents on the way forward to resolve the problem. They were universally informed that the LPC site needs to be relocated to where it would not be affected by floodwaters.
The community was promised that this would be done expeditiously. But, with the receding floodwaters, the promises of the politicians likewise recede and are forgotten until the floods return the following year. That is when the bland promises return to Lethem.
This electricity situation seems to be deteriorating rather than improving with each passing year. This downward spiral cannot be allowed to continue because Lethem is no longer the ‘country’ town it was a few years back. It is now a thriving commercial centre. With this sort of commercial boom comes increasing demand for electricity. This includes during the flood season.
It is critical that the government and regional officials start taking this situation more seriously and make immediate improvements to the electricity supply in this rapidly developing location. It is time that some of the revenue earned by the commercial trade in this location be returned to upgrade the area, and the electricity supply should be at the top of this list.
As it stands at present there is no flood threat, and the access road from Lethem to Georgetown is open to all forms of vehicles and yet Lethem is receiving only 18 hours of electricity.
There are now whispers that it is not the flood but a financial problem that is presently forcing this electricity cut. If this is the case then all residents are worried that the situation may worsen. If this situation is allowed to continue then the community of Lethem may have to follow the route of other areas that have successfully negotiated deals with the government through public protests.
The government should not wait until this happens because they will stand to lose during these political times.
If the problem with LPC is financial then I am certain that our government can find ways to assist the company. After all, they provide similar assistance in many other parts of Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
