Training for hinterland power technicians in the budget – PM

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has said that should Parliament approve the Office of the Prime Minister’s 2013 budget, training will be implemented through the Guyana Power and Light to enhance the knowledge of technicians attached to power companies in Port Kaituma, Region One; Mahdia, Region Eight and Lethem, Region Nine.

According to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), Prime Minister Hinds made this announcement while visiting the Port Kaituma Power and Light building on Saturday. He said the training will specifically seek to address transmission and generation operations and repairs and maintenance as these areas of expertise are sorely lacking in all three locations.

Sam Hinds
Sam Hinds

The PM visited the Port Kaituma Power and Light along with the Region One RDC Chairman Paul Pierre, Alliance for Change Member of Parliament Valerie Garrido-Lowe and A Partnership for National Unity MP Richard Allen, to seek to address the electrical woes facing the community following the damage by lightning of the company’s larger 625KVA generator.

GINA said that Mr Lall, a consultant who is experienced in troubleshooting generators was also on the visit. On examining the damaged unit, the consultant told the Prime Minister that he could get the system running in about two weeks.

The Port Kaituma power company has been utilising its smaller, 400KVA generator to power the community. Since it is unable to meet the demand in the peak period, there has been load shedding during this period.

GINA disclosed that the Office of the Prime Minister is working with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission to obtain another engine to be utilised during the peak period until the larger generator becomes operational.