Six years after Guyana began producing oil and climbed the ladder as one of the world’s fastest growing and richest economies, the Guyanese people are still forced to live with daily blackouts, along the coastlands.
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL), which holds the licence to generate and distribute electricity along the coast, must be held accountable. Yet, what the nation constantly sees is the political interference and meddling of Bharrat Jagdeo and his sidekick Irfaan Ali, instead of the management of GPL answering to the people.
When the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) assumed office in August 2020, the regime inherited a company that was supplying electricity to customers and had a planned programme for expansion. Not long after, the nation is plunged into darkness. Instead of making efforts to correct the issue, what we are treated to daily is a circus — with Ali and Jagdeo alternating in the role of chief clown — believing the nation wants to be entertained with their blame game tricks.
While the lives of ordinary citizens are being affected by these ongoing blackouts, the standby generators at ministers’ homes and the homes of the privileged continue to kick in. The rest of us are left in the heat, in the dark, and without answers.
The PPP regime must be told plainly: we deserve an electricity company that delivers reliable service.
This nation is demanding answers:
- Why were so many members of the technical staff removed under the PPP regime?
- What were the reasons behind their removal?
- Why were several generators purchased, and yet many have still not been installed?
The people are speaking out, and it’s important that their voices are heard.
I am reliably informed that a company involving government and private sector personnel has been registered in Dubai. This company, I am told, is working with a foreign entity in a joint venture aimed at taking control of Guyana’s electricity sector.
To bring this about, the regime has embarked on a plan to cripple GPL, creating widespread dissatisfaction among citizens, so they would more easily accept the idea of foreign intervention. Part of this scheme includes having the country spend large sums on spare parts for rehabilitation — at costs well above market value. We must be vigilant.
Guyanese must not allow this government to run a public utility into the ground to satisfy private or political agendas. The people deserve better.
