GUYANA Power and Light Inc. (GPL), yesterday, urged all consumers countrywide to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the monthly reading of their meters by  its authorised readers. In its monthly operational report, the utility noted that 11.5 percent of its total post-paid customers’ bills were estimated as a result of the inability of its meter readers to gain access to for the purpose of obtaining readings, primarily because of locked gates and incorrectly positioned meters.
GPL said the highest incidence of locked gates occurs in Regions Three and Four, while villages on the West Bank Demerara get the most estimated bills.
GPL reminded customers that the contract for provision of service requires it to have unimpeded access to the meters.
Further, the right to access for having GPL’s meter read is provided for by law under the Electricity Sector Reform Act 1999 with amendment in 2010. The Law also empowers GPL to disconnect the service, if it is unable to read the meter.
GPL, therefore, wishes to inform customers that “failure to have your meters read for two consecutive months would result in the disconnection of service.”
GPL’s meter readers operate from Sunday to Sunday, between 06:00hrs and 7:00hrs and, in cases where the customer is not at home or the meter is not visible to the reader, customers should make special provisions to have their meters read.
For further information in this regard, GPL is asking customers to kindly contact Billing Services on telephone numbers 226-4015/16.
Customers are also urged to ensure a valid GPL Employee Identification Card (ID) is presented at all times by meter readers, pointing out that the front side of the employee’s ID should bear a visible photograph of the person, the name and designation and, on the reverse side, have the Company’s Deputy Human Resources Manager’s signature and date of employment.
GPL encourages customers, as well, to visit its website www.gplinc.com for information on the positioning/relocating of meters to facilitate readings.