GPL in drive to update customer info

-prize winners announced for Demerara draw

CEO of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Albert Gordon taking out the coupon for the first prize winner in the Share and Win Promotion on Friday at the Main Street Branch.
CEO of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Albert Gordon taking out the coupon for the first prize winner in the Share and Win Promotion on Friday at the Main Street Branch.

As the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) prepares to launch various new initiatives for their customers, a “share and win” promotion was completed on Friday as they aim to update their customers’ information.

Representatives from the company including the new CEO, Albert Gordon, and Divisional Director Rhonda La Fargue were present at the event.

According to La Fargue, the power company launched the promotion so that their customers can have an opportunity to update their contact information while being eligible to win one of three prizes for each county – Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo – by just submitting their updated numbers, e-mail address and other relevant information.

For Demerara, Anjali Khan of Garnett Street won the first prize of a 42-inch television. R Bulkan of Success Housing Scheme won the second prize of a 31-inch television while Sharon Mentore of Parfaite Harmonie won the third prize of a 50,000 supermarket shopping voucher.

“We encouraged the customers to submit … coupons or on our website. By updating the new numbers and email addresses we can update their account in the system,” La Fargue explained. She said that by having an updated system they will be better able to reach out to their customers whenever they are ready to launch new initiatives.

According to the Divisional Director, while they have some 135,000 customers for their post-paid services, only about 30-40% of them have updated information in their systems. The share and win promotion that was launched in May and ran for four weeks, was able to garner over 5,000 responses from the Demerara region. She explained that they have not counted the Berbice and Essequibo counties as yet.

“If we get 10,000 that would be a good start. We are looking at a number of new initiatives like sending text messages and letting them know when their due date is for their bill or when they are due for disconnection. They can also text in to get their balance if they did not get their bills. And we are looking at other different ways to make it easier for customers because almost every person has a smart phone and if we have their updated contact information then for promotions like these we can send the info directly to them,” La Fargue said.

Gordon also made brief remarks in which he encouraged the customers to work along with them in building a solid relationship that will be beneficial to both parties.

“We would rather connect than disconnect and it is in all of our interest for the meters to keep turning. This is just one of the means of ensuring that we are close to you and we can understand your needs and be more responsive in delivering a service and value to you,” Gordon added.

The draws for the Berbice and Essequibo regions are expected to be done sometime next week.