April, 1978 saw deteriorating power and water services in addition to the shortage of food and other items leaving a US embassy cable to say that the average Guyanese seems to have become demoralised over the “sharp decline in his standard of living”.
Released on whistle blowing Website Wiki-leaks, the US cable headlined `Essential services in Guyana decline further’ adverted to an April 2, 1978 article in the Guyana Chronicle which quoted the Chairman of the Guyana Electricity Cor-poration (GEC), Dillon Thompson as warning that another nine months of blackouts could be expected.
Thompson, the cable said attributed GEC’s difficulties to financial constraints: increases in the cost of fuel and equipment, maintenance problems and outstanding debts. The cable said that hardly had Thompson made this statement when a major power failure occurred on April 3rd. “All of Georgetown was
