Why are certain communities being targeted for smart meters?

Dear Editor,

A meeting between residents of a certain section of Enmore and a GPL Contractor together with Representatives from the IDB is scheduled for today to advise residents about the installation of Smart-meters in Enmore. We have not been advised if GPL personnel will be part of that meeting.

As a resident of Enmore I have a few major concerns which are also of concern to residents of Enmore, and further afield.

1) Consumers of power have a contractual relationship with GPL, not any Contractor or IDB. The provision of (Smart) meters is contractually the responsibility of the provider, i.e. GPL.

2) As far as we have heard, Smart-meters are being installed in certain areas only: LBI, Lusignan, Enterprise, now Enmore. These areas are populated mainly by Indians. Why are certain villages in between being skipped?

3) The above-named areas are already serviced by meters. But I can call any number of areas which have no meters but enjoy free electricity.  My money is financing that `thiefing’ and GPL is promoting that `thiefing’! Recently, a Facebook post showed a huge area in Sophia `thiefing power’.  Why are not these areas targeted for meters – Smart or Stupid?

4) Are  these meters rejects from another country because of defects and are being dumped into Guyana? This is a question which will need to be answered by the Contractor/ IDB team.

If this meeting comes off at all, the residents of Enmore will ask searching questions. And there will be picketing.

Yours faithfully,

Taaj Jadunauth

Resident