Change is inevitable and consumers should be prepared to accept the changes as they come. But when changes come in rapid succession and all prove to be to the disadvantage of the consumer, then it is time for consumer advocates to take action.
Guyana Power & Light Inc (GPL) in late December announced that there would be a rise in electricity rates. Not only was there to be an increase in rates, the customers who paid a lower rate when consumption fell below 100 units per month would be limited to 75 units.
As consumers, we cannot be fooled that we would have only an increase of 6 per cent to contend with. Consumers expect that the increases for business places will be passed on to them. GPL calmly announced that these increases would be seen in the January bills, thus allowing consumers no opportunity to reduce their consumption of electricity. Fortunately the Public Utilities Commission intervened and postponed the new rates which will now appear in the February bill.
As reported – or rumoured – GPL is contemplating changing their manner of collection to prepaid bills. Before this takes place the Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) is announcing that it will strongly resist any such action. The friendly relationship that we had with the former Chief Executive Officer, Mr Robin Singh, no longer exists. We have not been invited to meet the new CEO since his assumption of office.
The GCA sees the change as being against consumer interests for the following reasons:
* The corporation would be collecting hundreds of millions of consumer funds each month in advance and consumers would collect no interest on the payment;
* at the inception consumers would have to pay not only the charges for the past month but the advance payment for the coming month, a situation which would put pressure on persons already facing difficulties in meeting their commitment;
* a consumer, for some reason, may not use the prepaid deposit collected from him and, after a lapse of time, he will lose that sum of money;
* the proposed pre-paid system will lead to fierce hostility between consumers and the GPL. Even now consumers see GPL as an organization not friendly to consumers because of the reception given to them at GPL’s main office when they attempt to show why they should not be disconnected or complain of the excessive charges made by GPL.
The GPL has not sought to meet with the GCA to assess what the reaction will be to pre-paid bills.
The money which is to be spent on pre-paid meters would worsen GPL’s financial position.
D. Carryl, writing in the Stabroek News on January 21, 2008, listed several irregularities at GPL. The letter appears on page 7 under the caption ‘There should be an inquiry into the electricity company.’
Two complaints received against GPL today, Thursday, January 24, 2008 illustrate the problems consumers encounter in their dealings with GPL. The first complainant reported that her meter installed on the windward side of her house fell and was sparking.
She summoned the Fire Brigade and endeavoured to have GPL re-install the meter. GPL’s team arrived when she was unable to answer the door. The team left in a disgruntled manner.
On Monday and Tuesday she continued to seek assistance and GPL’s team used a stick to keep the meter in place. Today, Thursday, she still waits to have the meter firmly re-installed.
Another consumer who burns a fluorescent light for two hours each night and uses a television set occasionally brought a bill showing GPL’s charge of $183,329 for electricity consumed in two months.
Her attempt at GPL’s Main Street office to invite GPL to visit her home was cut short with the words of the GPL clerk, “You have to pay.”
