A MARRIED couple of the small fishing community of Rockstone is on a mission to bring electrification to the entire community of approximately 200 residents, if only they could get past the stumbling blocks in their way.The Jonases, who own property in Rockstone, set out on their mission about three years ago to bring electrification to the community after realising that many of the families living there could not afford to purchase the diesel needed to run their generators.
They also took into account that there were those who, because they could not afford the luxury of buying a generator and the daily expense associated with running one, opted to live a simple life; one without electricity.
Of course, there are those fortunate enough to be able to afford solar-generated electricity, but this, too, has its own challenges, especially during the rainy seasons.
CHANCE MEETING
Ortex Jonas and her husband are miners, and while discussing their daily financial struggles one day with a contractor at Tumatumari, in Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni), he told them of the hydropower system in the area and how it benefits the entire community.
Right away the couple seized upon the idea as being a good project to invest in, not only for themselves, but for the benefit of the entire Rockstone.

As such, having made up the minds, they teamed up with the same contractor, Conrad Niles, who revealed that the Paramakoushi Creek, a tributary of the Essequibo River which runs through Rockstone, can be used as the generating source.
They next shared the idea with the residents of Rockstone who pledged their full support. By now excited, the Jonases began doing their research with the aid of the contractor and other experts in the field of hydro-electrity to ascertain the feasibility of investing in such a venture.
Things started out smoothly, they claim, but then they began to get stiff opposition from the last administration which allegedly gave them the royal runaround.
“The PPP had we on a lot of push around,” Ortex Jonas said. “They send us letter saying we can’t put it in the creek, because we gon nasty the water and affect people and all kinds of thing.”
Undaunted by the many challenges, however, the couple decided to house the machines and equipment they’d bought where they live, as they felt there was still a chance that the project could fly, and they could help their community.

A PRETTY PENNY
The entire process, they say, cost them a pretty penny; close to $8M. But the back-and-forth and uncertainty was proving too much for their contractor friend, who began to show signs of strain.
“One time yuh get he; another time yuh can’t get he. Then he just disappear,” Mr. Jonas said. Since then, the paraphernalia have been lying idle in the couple’s storeroom; all they can do is look at them and hope that one day their dream will eventually come true.
Meanwhile, they continue to spend huge sums of money on diesel, while they watch on helplessly as their fellow villagers, who are not so well off as they, struggle to make ends meet.
Still optimistic, the Jonases have now turned to the regional authorities as well as the government for help, seeing that there’s a new administration in place, with having the project up and running, especially since it is the president’s mandate to provide equal service to hinterland communities as that which is available on the coastland.
“I’m depending on this administration to help us, because we try it during the PPP and didn’t get through,” Ortex Jonas said.
CAN’T WAIT
One resident told the Guyana Chronicle that he is eagerly awaiting the commencement of the project, as it will indeed bring the residents of Rockstone some measure of relief.
“Yes! I think it is a very good venture, and I’m hoping that they get to do it! And I know they will get the support of the community; we are prepared to pay a monthly electricity fee to these people to provide us with electricity, because they done put their money into it, and we can’t get it for free,” he said.
Another resident, one Shirley, posited: “We are all backing them, because not everybody get solar; and it will bring development to our community. The school, health post and other places will get light, and it will brighten up the place.”