Why Linden and not Bath Settlement? – Jagdeo

Electricity subsidies

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

Bath Settlement, Region 5 residents continue to protest against what they deem the unreasonable removal of their

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

streetlights simply because “government cannot afford it” while the people of Linden continue to benefit tremendously from a whopping $3 billion electricity subsidy. Government is claiming that it cannot afford to inject monies to pay the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) for streetlights installed in Bath Settlement, but they can afford to award themselves super-salaries after only four months in executive office. And, while the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) does not pay its fees to GPL for the streetlights in Georgetown, the people of Bath Settlement had their streetlights removed. “How can you justify that? Why the assault on the people of Bath Settlement,” Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo demanded to know. He was at the time being interviewed on the “Under the Microscope” show aired on TVG Channel 28. “There seems to be a very partisan move and assault in PPP/C areas,” Jagdeo stated as he commented on where he saw the future of Guyana in the next five years. “You can’t afford a few lights in Bath Settlement but you can afford a 50 per cent ministerial salary increase… Look at Linden, they are subsidising electricity for the homes there, but you can’t afford it for a few street lights in Bath,” he stated. The Opposition Leader blasted government for choosing this course of action, especially since there are other ways in which the administration could have addressed the matter. “The increase in a Ministers’ pay can be used for the street lights in Bath Settlement,” Jagdeo proffered. PPP/C Member of Parliament Priya Manickchand had previously pointed out that if one calculates only one Minister’s pay increase, the money would suffice for 394 streetlights whereas Bath Settlement only needs about 20. Moreover, Jagdeo pointed out that GPL is presently saving millions of dollars as a result of the prevailingly low oil prices on the international market and that the company is just accumulating larger and larger sums of money through savings on the purchase of fuel. He suggested that this is an avenue government can look into to ensure Bath residents get to keep their streetlights. Residents of Bath took to the streets to vent their concerns over the removal of streetlights in their community. The protest commenced after the new government made a decision that the community would now have to pay for the electricity of its streetlights. The Region Five Private Sector Body had asked for one month to come up with a payment plan, but the lights were removed after their time had expired. Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson defended the decision, insisting the free streetlights to Bath residents was a mere campaign promise by the former regime during the elections period; but the government really cannot afford to bear the cost. Patterson firmly stated that, “GPL cannot afford to subsidise the cost.” After this was explained to residents, Patterson said the Private Sector Body had requested 30 days to come up with a payment plan, however the time expired and the lights were removed. According to media reports, GPL is asking that residents pay $3500 per streetlight monthly. Guyana Times understands some residents reluctantly paid the fee just so the streetlights can be reinstalled while others are holding strong, demanding an explanation for the biased treatment.

Negotiations Meanwhile, government noted that GPL is currently in discussions with Bath Settlement residents to arrive at a solution. According to the Government Information Agency (GINA) the power entity has clarified it is responsible for the supply of electricity, and not the installation of streetlamps  and automatic power supply for these, as they are personal matters and fittings, and are quite different from regular GPL streetlamps.

Linden subsidy That aside, it must be noted that the people of Linden, Region Ten (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) are paying a mere $5 per kilowatt hour for electricity while the rest of Guyana are bearing the brunt of high electricity costs. Residents of Lethem pay some $80 per kilowatt hour for electricity. The residents there get the first 15 kilowatts of energy free but incrementally thereon, the next 15-50 kilowatts is at $60 and for over 50 kilowatts they pay $80. Other areas in Guyana are charged a flat rate of $48 per kilowatt per hour. Commercial costs are higher. (devinas@guyanatimesgy.com)