– But another week of blackout for already angry businessmen, residents

By Svetlana Marshall
THE Public Infrastructure Ministry has stepped in to support the Guyana Power and Light after Bartica had endured more than two weeks of erratic power supply, but it will take another week before an overhaul of the Bartica power station is completed.

“The failure of two of GPL’s engines in Bartica has led to an untenable situation, and the Ministry will assist where possible,” the Public Infrastructure Ministry stated on Saturday.

Barticians have, over the past two weeks, been enduring prolonged periods of blackout, sometimes lasting eight and even 12 hours. The two ministers of Public Infrastructure having reportedly been briefed by the utility company, and are placing “special attention on Bartica’s situation, with measures being put in place to remedy it as quickly as possible.”

The Ministry said a major overhaul is expected to be completed by September 17, and the Ministry is asking residents of Bartica for their patience.

“The Ministry further thanks the residents of Bartica for their resilience, and extends its sincere apologies for the inconveniences they are experiencing.”

Elizabeth Moonsammy, a concerned resident, told Guyana Chronicle she is fed up with the situation.
“We all have endured enough, and yet it seems (that) despite pledges to do better, protests by residents and promises from central government, the situation with the current electricity supply from GPL to Barticans is now worse than before,” she complained.

Moonsammy noted that there is no longer load shedding due to scheduled maintenance, but rather random outages. “It (blackout) just comes upon us like a thief in the night; and even when you do get it (power supply), in return you have to contend with low voltage,” Moonsammy further contended.

She is of the opinion that the power company should consult with residents in an attempt to find a long-term solution to the electricity problems facing Bartica.

Another resident, Holbert Knights, told this newspaper that what is needed are new generators to power up Bartica. Knights said that based on information received, “GPL is trying to fix the unfixable.”

“Even if they get through now, we know that down the line we will get more power outages,” he opined.

There are currently three generator sets at the power station on First Avenue, Bartica. One is reportedly unserviceable, another is currently being repaired, and the third – a containerized generator – is the only unit servicing the entire Bartica community.

“It is time for the company to make a decision to have new engines that will give us a couple of years trouble-free (service),” Knights posited, while noting that blackout for eight hours is neither good for business nor security, and is a major source of discomfort.

In an invited comment, Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall said the town is severely affected by the poor supply of electricity. He explained that the lone generator which services the town supplies only 1.2 megawatts of electricity when the demand is two megawatts.

He also noted that the current situation is placing economic hardship on residents, particularly the business community, and is affecting school children and giving rise to the issue of security.

But in addition to the poor supply of electricity, the Mayor said, the Bartica Town Council has serious issues with the operation and location of the power station.

“The present facility is inconsistent with the ‘greening’ of Bartica. If you visit the site, you will see that the power plant continues to be responsible for air pollution, and even water pollution,” Marshall explained.

He said the location of the power plant conflicts with the proposed Green Bartica Land Use Development Plan. According to him, the current location of the power station — on First Avenue, Bartica — has been identified as a commercial hub.

“In the interim, we believe that Bartica should be powered by generators located at another site,” the Mayor said. However, he said the Council is hoping to consult with GPL on the best possible location.

“Such a move will significantly reduce noise and air pollution, which affects the health of residents, commuters, and patrons that operate within and around the present GPL location,” he said.

Marshall said the Town Council is aspiring to have clean and cheap energy from solar, biomas or hydro power, in keeping with the greening of Bartica.