WITH the combined parliamentary opposition parties recently slashing $5.2 billion from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) subsidy in the 2013 national budget, the power company has had no alternative but to regrettably levy a 26.7 percent increase in its tariff, knowing the effect this would have on its consuming public countrywide.

Guyana Chronicle asked people on the streets of Georgetown for their views on the budget cuts and on the GPL’s proposed 26.7 per cent tariff increase, and received the following responses:

Maguabe Jawanza, market vendor: “I think GPL needs money to carry out (its) operations, and the Opposition should have considered that before they cut the money. It is not a good thing that they cut the budget. First of all, we are already underdeveloped, and we need development. The politicians are not working for the benefit of the people; the Opposition (parties) are not supporting the people; they are doing things for political gain. They chose a wrong direction by cutting the company’s budget, and now we, the small man, have to feel the squeeze in our pockets. I must say that the President is working for the people; he ain’t doing what the Opposition say. The President get the thing right, and he’s doing the right thing by putting a hold on the increase.”

Jermaine Odeker, welder: “This is a real sad thing for the poor people, especially our single-parents who got to make ends meet; and now they going and increase we light-bill. The politicians think this is a game, but we are the ones who are suffering. It’s a game for them who cut the budget, and we have to face the struggle. They should consider our suffering and restore the money. Give GPL back the money so that they can do their work.”

Zulu Bacchus, drummer: This is totally rough and totally wrong! These people are not the ones (who are) suffering; we are! It’s not affecting them. I think that the Opposition and all those who claim to represent us should hold public meetings and hear what we have to say. It shouldn’t be their decision alone, but the public as well. The people’s voices need to be heard! This is also affecting our economy, and we can’t afford this! We can’t afford it! They are not concerned about our welfare.”

Nicholas Whitter, self-employed:
“People can’t afford to pay the light-bill as it is now, much less if they increase it. It’s going to be hard on single-parent mothers; poor people are feeling the squeeze. If things keep going up and there are hardly jobs, then crime is going to increase. I don’t think it’s fair that GPL putting this increase on our heads; it has nothing to do with the people; it’s a fight between the Government and the Opposition. This is a political war, and Parliament is the battleground; and so, instead of trying to look at the interest of the people, they cut the money and we feeling it. They should look into the interest of the people; their interest should be the interest of the people, because it’s the people who put them there.”

Leeta Giddings, vendor: “I have nine children; six of them are in school, and this cutting of the budget and the increase is not only going to affect me, but it’s going to affect the whole public. Children need light to have a good education, and most of us can’t afford to pay that increase. This is not politics; it’s politricks! I think people should come and protest, because 26 per cent is a lot. But who we gon protest to: GPL? The Government? Or the Opposition? Which one? Who is looking after our interest? They don’t care about us. If they did, they wouldn’t have cut the budget; and now they raising the money for the light bill.”

Colet Hall, nurse: “This is going to stifle us; we are on the brink of disaster, so both parties and everyone should come together and look after our interest; the interest of the people. If we do not come together, we are headed for disaster. This increase is going to affect the pensioners most, because some of us do not work, and now we will have to pay extra.”

Keisha Primo, self-employed: “Those in Parliament need to see what they can do to see this light-bill extra money decrease, because we can’t afford to pay it. They, the Opposition, should reconsider and restore the GPL’s budget. It’s already hard on me as a single-parent. What they want? Make it more hard? Look after the interest of the people! Hear our voices!”

Beverly Ann Richards, Mayor and City Council worker: “We can’t afford to pay this! How will we make out to pay for this, when our pay is small? They shouldn’t raise it! We ain’t looking at race and parties no more; we want betterment! The Opposition should restore GPL’s money, or we gon punish.”

Gregory Miller, technician: “We already struggling to pay this light bill that we does collect. Like they forcing we fuh thief! The politicians should be more lenient on the people, and find another way, or restore the budget.”

Romeo, taxi driver: “The Opposition shouldn’t have cut the budget; they should have left the money to let GPL continue with their programme. But they are saying that there is corruption and poor leadership; but that is not the issue. They should have investigated that first. The Opposition shouldn’t have done this, because it was obvious that GPL would have raised the light bill. If they cut it, then they should be the ones giving the money to GPL, not us! But still, we are the ones that gonna suffer, because they are not looking after our interest. They say they are, but it’s showing otherwise. They should put their differences aside and look after our interest. I suggest they restore the budget and drop the tax increase; and if it could go more lower, it better fuh we, because we already punishing under the heavy light bill.”