THE constant blackouts on Friday November 29, 2013 returned to paralyse the entire Region 2 from 7:00 am to 1:00 am on Saturday, November 30, 2013 and Essequibians are bracing themselves for more blackouts during the Christmas season.More than 10 years ago the GPL Board of Directors had directed the manager and management of Anna Regina Wartsila power plant to begin reducing blackouts. Not just talk about it, but it is still here with us very much on the Essequibo Coast almost every day or night. We were the first in the country to receive a Wartsila power plant with the commitment to stabilise our electricity supply. GPL has not met the stabilisation commitment goal after 10 years.

As experts predict, an increase in blackouts along the Essequibo Coast provide a critical barrier for businesses and customers. It became clear years ago that GPL Warsila at Anna Regina,energy producing really had so much in common and had through the years so short changed. When the power plant goes down, our light goes out and you feel it everywhere. We are faced with the same reality every year that there are forces that work against us. We Essequibians need to put all the differences aside and really begin to speak with a shared voice.
It is just a lack of knowledge of how critical this region is to the nation’s security. To solve these numerous problems we face with our businesses, the government has to find common ground that will be the basis for solutions.
In today’s changing business, political and environmental landscapes, we know it is imperative that we work together with all interested parties to make sure this region is protected and sustained with a regular power supply. The government needs more natural approaches-engineering solutions that include harnessing the power efficiently, for example, the Wartsila here has never produced its capacity output generation.
The electricity power plant operates inefficiently because of fuel supplies not arriving on time, inadequate maintenance or failure to correct some minor fault. As a country, we need to understand that electricity is not just a big expense. It’s an important investment that will yield returns for generations to come.

MOHAMED KHAN