The board of directors of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has decided to terminate the contract of Colin Welch, acting CEO, a statement from Chairman of the utility, Robert Badal said last night.
No reason was given in the statement for the move.
Yesterday’s announcement followed a February 19 report in Stabroek News that current Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Renford Homer would replace Welch. Homer will act until the vacancy is substantively filled.
Welch had been a deeply controversial figure at GPL with questions being raised about his credentials and experience.
When the new Board of GPL was commissioned last month, Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI) David Patterson had informed that the board had been given “all the dossiers” pertaining to administrative issues and its mandate included a review of an investigation into allegations against Welch pertaining to the importation of meters. “All the dossiers have been given to the respective members of the board to examine,” Patterson had said.
The Board was also charged with being responsible for appointing a substantive CEO and Deputy Chief Executive Officer along with other executive appointments.
The complaint against Welch alleged that he was in communication with the bidder and supplier of the meters, Tesco PLC, a British firm and Shenzhen Clou Electronics Company Limited of China, respectively, urging them to supply false information.
Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) had slammed government for its “cavalier” treatment of allegations against the interim GPL chief saying that he should be sent on leave to facilitate an investigation.
In a statement pointing out that Welch had been implicated in irregularities involving the procurement of prepaid meters worth US$4 million by GPL, TIGI urged that he be sent on leave to facilitate an investigation.
TIGI said that given the standard set for officials against whom allegations are made, the same should apply to Welch.
Last year, Welch and then CEO Bharat Dindyal had several public showdowns over issues pertaining to other managers. This was one of the reasons that led to MPI ending Dindyal’s engagement with GPL and replacing him, in an acting capacity, with Welch.
GPL’s statement yesterday said that applications for the post of CEO are being invited to attract a competent and dynamic replacement to lead the GPL team.
It further said that the executive management team has been directed to update its five-year strategic plan which would soon be posted on the GPL website and shared with the nation
Badal said that this plan focuses on significantly lowering the company’s technical and non-technical losses with investments to improve the transmission and distribution infrastructure of GPL in addition to boosting its generating capacity. Technical and commercial losses have been major problems for GPL and its predecessor.
Badal added that President David Granger’s vision of a clean, green economy would be central to the GPL plan with emphasis on a more diversified matrix of power supply including solar, wind, hydro and other renewables.
GPL would also seek to improve its customer service with shorter response times to customers’ queries and reduce blackouts by replacing old and inefficient equipment. Investment in effective technology in the area of billing and managing customer accounts is also planned.
Badal said that electricity tariffs are “currently being reviewed to lower current rates”. With the plunge in world oil prices, the government and GPL have come under pressure to pass on the savings in fuel expenses to the public.
“Progress never comes without hard work and the management and staff are fully dedicated and committed to delivering a highly improved electricity supply at a lower cost”, Badal stated.
