ACCORDING to the GPL, 16% of its residential customer base is in arrears with their electricity bills, and they are urged to regularize this situation before the festive season arrives, when the power provider may be forced to disconnect recalcitrant customers.

The total outstanding figure is some $220M, GPL Chief Executive Officer, Bharrat Dindyal said at a press conference with the media yesterday. And he has indicated that GPL will use every method at its disposal to collect all outstanding amounts.
Dindyal said it in within the company’s power to demand from a disconnected customer a six-month security deposit equivalent to six times the average monthly bill of that person prior to reconnection; and that a reconnection fee of $3200 applies.
He urged consumers to consider that the entity has to purchase fuel preparatory to the festive season, but noted that GPL is prepared to deliver a supply of electricity that is adequate to meet the needs of each home during the festive season with enhancement of its US$42 million submarine cable project to improve the generation capabilities.
Dindyal also emphasized that a detailed check would be carried out on the account of its customer base to ensure the November bill is cleared.