The board of the Linden Utility Company was sworn in on Friday, with Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, calling for an improvement in the quality of electricity supplied to the mining town.
The new board members are: Chairman, Tracy Johnson; Members Elwyn Marshall, Mortimer Mingo, Horace Williams, Leslie Gonsalves, and Renford Homer
Minister David Patterson (fourth right), Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Kenneth Jordan (far right); Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland (second right), with the new members of the Linden Utility Company Board.
— who is serving as a representative of the Guyana Power and Light Company Inc. A member representing the Parliamentary Opposition is yet to be appointed.
In brief remarks to the board, Minister Patterson encouraged the new members to dedicate their time diligently and to work with a unified agenda. He stressed the importance of innovation, and suggested that the board undertake new, feasible avenues, such as implementing renewable energy projects, where necessary.
“Overall, I want you to provide a higher level of service to the residents of Linden,” he said.
Representatives of the utility company were also praised for successes, such as relatively low technical and commercial losses, and an impressive revenue collection rate that is higher than 90 per cent. While Minister Patterson noted that there was room for improvement, he applauded the company for its efforts, and encouraged the board to aim for greater achievements.
Representatives also shared that the company has plans to upgrade its decades-old network through the rehabilitation or replacement of equipment.
Mayor of Linden, Mr Carwyn Holland, who was present at the ceremony, shared with Minister Patterson some areas that would need assistance from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, such as the provision of electricity to unserved areas in Linden. Insufficient drainage within communities was also raised as an area of concern.
