GPL receiving $8M payment from Sub and Salads
GUYANA Power & Light (GPL) is in the process of recovering revenues lost as a result of the illegal receipt of electricity by ‘Subs and Salads’ discovered, for the second time earlier this year, on upper Sheriff Street in Georgetown. GPL Loss Reduction Manager, Mr. Kumar Sharma said the utility and the owners of the business entity have entered into an agreement, through which the estimated sum owed would be paid over a period.
GPL had previously disclosed that Subs and Salads owes $8M for stolen current and Sharma said the supplier, initially, requested that a substantial amount be paid before its service be accessed, again.
He said the business has since paid $3M and is paying the remainder in addition to its monthly usage bill.
Sharma explained that, at present, GPL is back billing the business, as the law provides for that to be done with a defaulter for a maximum of two years. However, the theft has not been ongoing for so long.
He also pointed out that Subs and Salads was taking a residential service when, in fact, it should have been registered as a commercial customer.
Sharma disclosed that the business had tampered with and bypassed the meter, although he was unable to say if the police have instituted criminal charges against the proprietor.
According to him, GPL has very little say in police action over electricity theft and can only send witnesses to testify in court against defendants.
Sharma said GPL cannot report such incidents to the police after conducting a raid, because the investigators need to be present to verify that, indeed, irregularities were uncovered.
He said the second discovery of electricity theft was made earlier this year, in the building where jewellery, fast foods and furniture are all sold.