IN the not too distant past, I wrote in the press a letter to the public extolling the Pre-Paid metering System, and encouraging Guyanese to go for it. I still believe in the principle and philosophy of it, but the entire advertising campaign of GPL, all the PR work, comes to naught, ONE BIG FAT LOONEY JOKE, I AM ASHAMED TO SAY.  The campaign definitely was a waste of money.

Imagine, since 07/08/2010, this writer requested an installation for a pre-paid meter AT 77 Queen (Alexander St near David), and to date it is confusion, comedy, jokes and more jokes. The entire telephone thing is a thing of the past, very “jokey.”
The paperwork was missing, then they failed to take my number, but it was given to the inept, but they did not have it. After months, I called, and after numerous calls, and I finally got them (Miss Dowding), they said they knew the name but decided to file it and wait for me to make contact. This is a full belly way of conducting business, I guess it goes with an inept monopoly, I mean a ‘jokey’ monopoly.

After a letter in the press castigating the demand of money by some technicians and contractors (GPL), someone turned up, with a lot of nonsensical questions.  My manager occupies a flat, but despite his inspection certificate and proper preparation, the technician/investigator wanted to go in the house to talk. They went but he was waiting as if waiting for something, not saying anything, just looking as if for something, making some ridiculous mumbles according to my manager.  He eventually got regularised, It is an experience in madness to get a meter connection in this country, absolutely madness, as if GPL‘s business is to make life difficult for Guyanese.
I called, my secretary called, and the response was now they are trying to assert something, when asked what, they do not know, who was there before, and such nonsense.  My relative recently acquired the place, and I manage it for her.  I requested a prepaid meter, because I do not trust GPL for many reasons.  It may not be a policy to criminalise citizens, but some corrupt GPL employees try to set people up and blackmail them. Many employees of GPL did this, were charged and many escaped the law.

Prepaid meters are something that GPL is encouraging along with the donor entity. In principle this is good, but in reality, GPL is making it a joke.