New Amsterdam Residents accuse Regional Chairman, GPL of discrimination
October 24, 2011 | By KNews.
Some residents of New Amsterdam, Berbice are accusing the Regional Chairman of Region Six and the Regional Manager of The Guyana Power and Light operation in Berbice of practicing racism and showing favouritism regarding the provision of electricity in the Angoy’s Avenue, Smythfield and Glasgow Housing scheme areas.
A number of them have been picketing the Regional Administration building and the Guyana Power and Light office on Strand New Amsterdam for the past three weeks and they have vowed to continue until their concerns are addressed.
Two residents Ishmael Immanuel King and Dion Thomas both of Smythfield spoke to the media. Thomas, a Rural Constable has been picketing in front of the GPL building with a number of placards a few weeks now.
Thomas, a married father of four and grandfather of many, all residing at the same residence, stated that he has been residing at 467 Smythfield for over 46 years and has been a customer of the GPL for over 35 years. But his problem is that he has another house in his yard which he is fighting to get connected to the national grid, but to no avail.
He said that he was told that he has to get a letter from The Regional Chairman, after some running around and protesting, he eventually got a letter. He was then told that he has to get a sworn affidavit, and he acquired that also. When he went back to GPL, he was told that he has to get a transport. He stated that he asked for Pre-Paid meter and was willing to trade in his post-paid service for one but was denied. He stated that he made futile attempts to meet with the Manager of GPL, Berbice Mr. Bacchus.
Thomas stated that he is convinced that the authorities are discriminating since other persons who have recently constructed houses in the area have already gotten electricity. He vows to continue protesting until he gets justice.
Ishmael King stated that his problems are similar but more complex. He is married and a father of three children ages three, seven and 10.
He stated that he has been living at the present Lot 1 B Block 263 Smythfield address for over 13 years. He has applied for electricity for over four years, but has been given the royal run-around.
He has now resorted to picketing the Regional Administration and the GPL with his three young children.
He stated that the authorities have been “fighting him down” and apart from refusing to give him electricity, “they want to take away my place.” Some time ago the authorities moved his fence and built a building which is unused.
His many efforts to acquire electricity have been met with numerous excuses. He was told that the land has to be surveyed. When that was done, he was told that he has to get a letter from the Regional Chairman.
His meeting with the Chairman wasn’t nice and after many verbal exchanges and protests, King was told by a senior Regional official to stop the protesting because “the thing ain’t looking nice”.
He was eventually given a letter which was different from others that was issued by the Chairman.
However his return to GPL was less favourable since they refused to entertain him. He was told that he has to get a transport before he gets electricity. The man stated that his 10-year-old daughter is studying for SSEE examinations and is already having problems with her eyes.
The men are claiming that GPL is discriminating, because a number of persons are receiving electricity without the documents that they had to acquire. Some persons have built their houses and applied long after them and are already receiving electricity.
They are calling for the removal of the Regional Chairman and the GPL Regional Manager. They are also querying since when the Regional Chairman is the authority on who should or should not get electricity. On Wednesday they were arrested and taken to the Central Police Station and their placards were taken away. However, they were soon released and given back their placards. They continued their protest action on Thursday and were there up to Friday. The men have also consulted with a lawyer, who told them they were within their rights to picket.
Some of the placards read ‘GPL sucks Poor people blood’; ‘I need current, Dictator’, ‘GEC was good, GPL is wicked’; ‘I need current, Dictator’; ‘Will Angoy’s Avenue get lap top?’
The residents plan to up their protest action during the coming days until they get justice.
THE PPP KNOW THEY WILL LOSE REGION 6 AND DON'T CARE HOW THE PEOPLE ARE TREATED. THE PPP NEW SLOGAN 'RULE BY DISCRIMINATION FOR THOSE WHO DONT SUPPORT THE PPP.'
October 24, 2011 | By KNews.
Some residents of New Amsterdam, Berbice are accusing the Regional Chairman of Region Six and the Regional Manager of The Guyana Power and Light operation in Berbice of practicing racism and showing favouritism regarding the provision of electricity in the Angoy’s Avenue, Smythfield and Glasgow Housing scheme areas.
A number of them have been picketing the Regional Administration building and the Guyana Power and Light office on Strand New Amsterdam for the past three weeks and they have vowed to continue until their concerns are addressed.
Two residents Ishmael Immanuel King and Dion Thomas both of Smythfield spoke to the media. Thomas, a Rural Constable has been picketing in front of the GPL building with a number of placards a few weeks now.
Thomas, a married father of four and grandfather of many, all residing at the same residence, stated that he has been residing at 467 Smythfield for over 46 years and has been a customer of the GPL for over 35 years. But his problem is that he has another house in his yard which he is fighting to get connected to the national grid, but to no avail.
He said that he was told that he has to get a letter from The Regional Chairman, after some running around and protesting, he eventually got a letter. He was then told that he has to get a sworn affidavit, and he acquired that also. When he went back to GPL, he was told that he has to get a transport. He stated that he asked for Pre-Paid meter and was willing to trade in his post-paid service for one but was denied. He stated that he made futile attempts to meet with the Manager of GPL, Berbice Mr. Bacchus.
Thomas stated that he is convinced that the authorities are discriminating since other persons who have recently constructed houses in the area have already gotten electricity. He vows to continue protesting until he gets justice.
Ishmael King stated that his problems are similar but more complex. He is married and a father of three children ages three, seven and 10.
He stated that he has been living at the present Lot 1 B Block 263 Smythfield address for over 13 years. He has applied for electricity for over four years, but has been given the royal run-around.
He has now resorted to picketing the Regional Administration and the GPL with his three young children.
He stated that the authorities have been “fighting him down” and apart from refusing to give him electricity, “they want to take away my place.” Some time ago the authorities moved his fence and built a building which is unused.
His many efforts to acquire electricity have been met with numerous excuses. He was told that the land has to be surveyed. When that was done, he was told that he has to get a letter from the Regional Chairman.
His meeting with the Chairman wasn’t nice and after many verbal exchanges and protests, King was told by a senior Regional official to stop the protesting because “the thing ain’t looking nice”.
He was eventually given a letter which was different from others that was issued by the Chairman.
However his return to GPL was less favourable since they refused to entertain him. He was told that he has to get a transport before he gets electricity. The man stated that his 10-year-old daughter is studying for SSEE examinations and is already having problems with her eyes.
The men are claiming that GPL is discriminating, because a number of persons are receiving electricity without the documents that they had to acquire. Some persons have built their houses and applied long after them and are already receiving electricity.
They are calling for the removal of the Regional Chairman and the GPL Regional Manager. They are also querying since when the Regional Chairman is the authority on who should or should not get electricity. On Wednesday they were arrested and taken to the Central Police Station and their placards were taken away. However, they were soon released and given back their placards. They continued their protest action on Thursday and were there up to Friday. The men have also consulted with a lawyer, who told them they were within their rights to picket.
Some of the placards read ‘GPL sucks Poor people blood’; ‘I need current, Dictator’, ‘GEC was good, GPL is wicked’; ‘I need current, Dictator’; ‘Will Angoy’s Avenue get lap top?’
The residents plan to up their protest action during the coming days until they get justice.
THE PPP KNOW THEY WILL LOSE REGION 6 AND DON'T CARE HOW THE PEOPLE ARE TREATED. THE PPP NEW SLOGAN 'RULE BY DISCRIMINATION FOR THOSE WHO DONT SUPPORT THE PPP.'