Training begins for Linden electricity sector employees
LINDEN Mining Enterprise (LINMINE), in conjunction with Guyana Power & Light (GPL), on Monday, began the first of a series of training programmes targeting employees in the electricity sector. It was under the theme ‘Upgrade for Network Technician’ and the objective, of what started in the Watooka Club, Mackenzie, is to ensure that the participants are knowledgeable of the standard operating procedures at GPL.
Helping those participating to understand a basic outline of the fundamentals associated with the theory and practices within transmission and distribution systems is another purpose.
The course is being used also to make sure technicians possess a sound knowledge so as to be able to identify various equipment and materials and their use and operating principles so as to be in a position to understand the importance of earthling and its procedures.
Another aspect of the training is to emphasise the importance of safe work practices and better relations among workers would also be emphasised.
The Divisional Director and former bauxite industry electrical engineer, Mr. Elwyn Marshall, made it known that sooner rather than later the responsibility of electricity distribution in the bauxite mining town will come under the purview of the GPL.
He told those in attendance: “I think it has been an idea that has been mooted for many years and, with the imminent coming of hydropower, it seems even more possible. With the whole advent of hydro, it makes sense that one authority is responsible for transmission and distribution.”
Marshall acknowledged that, presently, with this concept of GPL being in charge of the Linden network, the primary focus always seems to be the rates.
But he said: “I am not going to go down that road but I think that there are so many other benefits that can be gained and will be gained by the association.”
With the Amaila Falls Hydropower generation coming on stream in Guyana soon, there will be an abundance of electrical power and, as such, it was made known that there will be no need for domestic generation of electricity in Linden and GPL will be taking that responsiblity for electricity distribution and maintenance work as power will be sourced directly to Linden from GPL’s National Grid system.

CONCERNS
Marshall said, after GPL takes over the Linden Electricity Inc., which, currently, buys electrical power generated by the BOSAI Bauxite Company, apart from the rates residents will be asked to pay, the concerns may very well be the aspect of jobs, particularly for those who now are technicians and electricians presently maintaining and building networks in Linden.
He added: “I think that it is in recognition of this fear that the board of directors decided that what needed to be done was to have the Linden technical personnel become aware of the way that GPL works. I mean there are not many ways of doing transmission and distribution lines correctly, but there are various standards and various things that one company may accept that another may not accept and so we thought that it might be a good idea to start with this training programme, which is supposed to be the first and a part of the whole concept of knowledge exchange between the two entities.”
According to Marshall: “GPL is in no way saying that they have better knowledge of transmission and distribution practices, but what we’re saying is that we have a certain standard that we work to, we work to a certain code and it would be useful if the persons in Linden become aware of these standards and, where possible, work with these standards. That, basically, was the genesis of having this programme.”
He point out that, at present, electricity is highly subsidised by the Government of Guyana and, as such, any decision relating to a change in rates is not an operational one, but one which rests with the Government.