Wakenaam residents enjoying 24-hour electricity for first time – following similar service in Leguan
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2014, Source - GINA
Residents of Wakenaam, one of the largest islands located in the Essequibo River are now benefiting from a 24-hour electricity service, as the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) officially commissioned the upgraded Wakenaam Power Plant today.
The Wakenaam Power Plant
Recently, neighbouring island, Leguan had its power plant commissioned. The plant has three new 513 KVA units and auxiliary supplies.
Wakenaam, which has a population of approximately 10,000 people, is mostly agriculture driven, and according to President Donald Ramotar who unveiled the plaque to commission the plant, this new service will pave the way for greater economic growth in the Region Three Island.
The president was accompanied by Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, GPL’s Chairman, Winston Brassington, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bharrat Dindyal and Region Three Chairman, Julius Faerber.
During his address, President Ramotar highlighted the importance of electricity and its role in national development. Wakenaam, he said, possesses great potential as it is known for its production of rice, coconut oil and cattle.
“The Island has been blessed with talented farmers and hard working people…and what is needed to help with the development of the Island is infrastructure because I am convinced that we have the human capital to move the island forward. And one of the most important elements of this is electricity which will make life easier for the people,” the President emphasised.
President Donald Ramotar addressing the gathering at the commissioning ceremony for the Wakenaam Power Plant
A reliable electricity service will also create greater opportunities, especially for women, in order to increase income generating options and ease the burden of house chores to which many have been subjected, he said.
“This service is important; not only you will have the opportunity to watch television, but because it will have the possibility of creating jobs…to diversify your own livelihood, moving from just rice to other crops. It will also develop the social industry where people can have more places to relax, engage in cultural activities and so forth.”
Since 1992, Government has been placing tremendous emphasis on education, and the President noted that this is another step of ensuring that students have the opportunity to utilise the services offered, since they will now be able to use the computer labs.
President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) Chairman, Winston Brassington and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bharrat Dindyal and Region Three Chairman, Julius Faber during the cutting of the ribbon to commission the Wakenaam Power Plant
“We are convinced that the most important factor for development is people, and developing the quality of people is what will take us forward, and we have seen numerous examples of that all over the world…many countries of great natural resources still have poverty, but those that have a high level of education have been recording positive development and growth rate,” he stressed.
Social expenditure has moved from less than 8% of the National Budget in 1992, to more than 30% today, with the aim of increasing services in vital areas, especially education and health.
He reminded that in 1992 when the PPPC assumed office, only 30% of the students attending primary school could have attended secondary school, because there were no schools at which to place them. Today, the situation has improved drastically, with all being given the opportunity to access education, even higher education online through the University of Guyana’s online degree programme.
President Donald Ramotar along with Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) Chairman, Winston Brassington and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bharrat Dindyal inspecting a component of the Wakenaam Power facility
Meanwhile, in the area of health, the president said there have been noticeable developments, and reminded that Government is now moving to establish a Specialty Hospital, even as he mentioned developments in the housing and agriculture sectors, which are all geared to better the quality of life of Guyanese.
Over the last two years, (up to mid 2014), the size of Guyana’s economy grew by 25% (US $650B) President Ramotar highlighted. He said that in the same period of time, when some of the most important exports were affected such as gold, rice and sugar, the economy recorded its ninth successive year of economic growth.
President Ramotar further noted that the realisation of the Amalia Falls Hydro project will see the country developing further.
He charged the residents to desist from electricity theft, and utilise the service that is being offered to them.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Minister responsible for energy, Samuel Hinds noted that GPL, having provided a 24-hour service to Wakenaam and Leguan, is now looking to link the islands, allowing for a more improved service in the future.
President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) Chairman, Winston Brassington and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bharrat Dindyal and Region Three Chairman, Julius Faerber stand in front of the generators in the Wakenaam Power facility
He reminded that electricity has been on the front burner of the PPPC’s agenda for many years. He expressed satisfaction that it has had done well in this regard, ensuring that all of Guyana receive electricity.
Prior to the improved service, the residents received electricity from 4:00 pm to 8:00am.
The Prime Minister urged the residents to ensure better management of the service provided to them. He challenged them to pay their electricity bill because Guyana is developing and there is need for the people to develop a higher standard of living.
Brassington said that this transformational project complements what the power company is doing in terms of improving its services to citizens. He said that the company is looking to install a new plant in Anna Regina, Region Two and Bartica, Region Seven.
Faerber, who extended gratitude to Government for making such service available to the Wakenaam residents, said that this project augurs well for economic development for the region and its people.
Recently as well, GPL commissioned a sub-station at North Ruimveld, the final component of the power company’s new system which is catered for under the US$42M Infrastructure Development Programme (IDP), and links Demerara and Berbice.