THE electricity generation plants system at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast malfunction and operate inefficiently because of inadequate maintenance or failure to correct some minor fault.
Over the past few weeks Essequibians have been experiencing frequent blackouts. I am quite annoyed seeing that government facilities and businesses are affected. These include the police station, health centre and hospitals.
In addition, there are established living quarters for public servants stationed at Anna Regina, some of whom include health officials, police officers and teachers. All of these persons including businesses are dependent on constant and adequate electricity.
Imagine my surprise and dismay when on the first night the blackout came on I decided then to investigate the reason for these frequent blackouts and I was quite taken aback at the findings. After chatting with a number of persons who worked in and around the Wartsila compound, I was informed that for the longest while, the electricity generation plants were inefficiently maintained. I queried why is the plant not regularly maintained? One person stated that there are three servicemen employed by the company but instead of doing what they are paid to do, they laze around and idle all day.
I therefore feel it is very important that I highlight this issue and hope that some action is urgently taken. Many people in this region are suffering as a result of this blackout situation.
How embarrassing that in this day and age, we still have to endure blackouts, especially with a government always trumpeting that they have done so much for development. I am very perturbed over GPL’s level of competence. Even though Guyana has relatively few government-owned companies, the general public should pay keen attention to the governance of these vital assets since they represent part of citizens’ wealth and must be managed to make a profit.
I urge the powers to take note of this and ensure that we find the best people possible to run these state-owned entities and give them clear mandates without too much political interference. According to the PPP manifesto in the electricity sector, over the next five years, the next PPP/Civic Government will: “Bring electricity to every single Guyanese household, by extending the national grid to include all new housing development, unserved and hinterland areas.” My fellow Guyanese wake up and don’t be fooled anymore, the elections have gone and the promise is now left to be fulfilled.