THE board of the Kwakwani Utility Incorporated (KUI) was on Tuesday officially installed, with Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, calling for improved services to the residents and greater dedication by the new appointees.
The newly-installed board is being chaired by Byron Lewis and the directors include: Audwin Rutherford, Elroy Adolph, Donnette Jeffrey, Horace Williams and a member of the Parliamentary Opposition. The responsibility of the board is to have oversight of the operations of the company and not its day-to-day activities.
The management of the board will provide the relevant information to craft policies that are in keeping with government’s agenda, a release by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure said.

Minister Ferguson in her remarks to the newly-commissioned Board said: “I know you the members of the elected board will bring a degree of experience to take the Utility Company forward.” She disclosed that government has approved two new engines which are expected to take the utility company to a higher level of service to the people of Kwakwani. “I have visited your power company and realised that they are a few engines that are having some challenges which will be addressed immediately.”

In response, the Chairman told Minister Ferguson that he considered it a privilege to serve on the board. He also expressed his willingness to work hard to help the company achieve its objectives. “I am sure that consumers will applaud the government for tasking us with such a responsibility, because they will see a turnaround for the good. We will join hands together to make outstanding things happen for our country, especially in Kwakwani.” Mr. Lewis said.

For his part, Chief Executive Officer of the KUI, Fitz Mc Pherson, expressed his gratitude for the establishment of the new board. “Minister, you have just made my job easier,” he said. Other members of the board expressed their gratitude for being able serve.
Meanwhile, Minister Ferguson also went on a site-visit of the Kwakwani Utility Incorporated facility to familiarise herself with the operations of the Power Plant, listen to concerns of staff members and members of the community. During the visit to the Power Plant, it was relayed to the minister by staff members that the generator is an antiquated one that has been in use since the 1950s. The company is therefore recommending a new engine be put in place to meet the needs of the residents.
The managers and staff were also very pleased with Government for responding to the needs of the residents of Kwakwani as they discussed with Minister Ferguson ways in which the service could be improved, the release added. One recommendation was to have government buildings be rehabilitated.

Furthermore, there were other issues unrelated to KUI raised, but Minister Ferguson assured that the information would be passed on to the relevant authorities. “My Government listens to the people and we will meet with you to ensure that the good life promised to all Guyanese be enjoyed by the People of Kwakwani,” she stressed. In Kwakwani, electricity supply is free except for four big companies in the area. These are Western Union, GTT, Digicel, and Rusal who pay $60 per kwh for an average of 5,952kwh per month. Over 1,000 homes are being serviced with electricity. KUI receives an annual subvention of $258M.