Dear Editor,
The electricity generation plant at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast is malfunctioning and operating inefficiently. Over the past few weeks Essequibians have been experiencing frequent blackouts. I am quite annoyed seeing that government facilities and businesses are affected. These include the police station, health centre and hospitals. In addition, there are established living quarters for public servants stationed at Anna Regina, some of which include health officials, police officers and teachers. All of these persons as well as businesses are dependent on a constant supply of electricity.
Imagine my surprise and dismay when on the first night the blackout came I was told by a number of persons who worked in and around the Wartsila compound that for the longest while the electricity generation plant was inefficiently maintained.
I therefore feel it is very important that I highlight this issue and hope that some action is urgently taken. Many people in this region are suffering as a result of this blackout situation.
How embarrassing that in this day and age, we still have to endure blackouts, especially with a government always trumpeting that they have done so much for development. I am very perturbed with GPL’s level of competence. Even though Guyana has relatively few government-owned companies, the general public should pay keen attention to the governance of these vital assets, since they represent part of citizens’ wealth and must be managed to make a profit. I urge the powers that be to take note of this and ensure that we find the best people possible to run these state-owned entities and give them a clear mandate without too much political interference. According to the PPP manifesto, in the electricity sector over the next five years a PPP/Civic government will bring electricity to every single Guyanese household, by extending the national grid to include all new housing development, and unserved and hinterland areas. Guyanese should wake up and don’t be fooled any more; the elections have gone and the promise is now left to be fulfilled.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
