Benschop calling for a Riot?

The proposed hike in electricity rates by the state controlled  GPL must be vigorously resisted by the Guyanese people. In excess of 20 years in office the PPP Government has consistently failed to provide reliable electricity to this nation.

Even after spending billions every year through loans and prohibitively high prices on new generating capacity, it is vividly clear that the Government has no solution in sight in the context of its statutory duty to provide electricity at an affordable cost.

With abundant alternative sources of energy in this tropical land of ours in terms of wind, solar and hydro potential, the Guyanese people continue to suffer hourly blackouts with repeated adverse effects on homeowners' appliances and goods, business-owners' production equipment and school children's education .

Compare this sad state of affairs after more that 20 years of PPP Government in office with other countries including St Kitts and Nevis, the tiny Caribbean Island with no resources. The PPP has no excuses other that its gross incompetence and corruption. It has handled GPL just like it has handled the sugar sector and the NIS bringing all three to a state of bankruptcy.

GPL's Board of Directors, comprising the familiar square pegs in round holes and soup-drinkers, have yet to devise a turn around plan after so many years in Office. In fact were they in the Private sector or in a state entity in any other country, they would have long been fired for incompetence. First to go would have been its Chairman, Winston Brassington. But their loyalty to known PPP powers give them a license to pass on their inefficiencies to an already heavily burdened taxpayer.

The AFC is demanding that the entire Board be replaced with competent and independent professionals.

Whatever is keeping Mr Brassington and his team at GPL in the face of chronic failure and incompetence, apparently good for the PPP power-brokers, have broken the tolerance limit of all in Guyana.

The AFC is also demanding that the PUC investigate fully GPL's call for this rate hike and hear other stakeholders interested in the matter before it orders or ratifies any increases by GPL. Electricity increases by GPL is a matter which comes under the jurisdiction of the PUC, and this regulatory body must not exhibit itself as a tooth poodle.

The AFC would like to warn the PPP Government, that this highly ill-advised and unjustified act on the part of GPL, will be provoking huge national unrest.