GPL metering issues at Bath Settlement to be probed

An investigation has been launched into complaints from residents of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice (WCB), that there are faults in the new metering system installed by the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL).
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar during a meeting on Friday in the community assured residents that the Ministry will get to the bottom of the issue.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Minister Indar related “Their claim is not unreasonable, that they have been paying a certain bill for the past 20 years and as soon as a new meter went on, their bill went up three-fold and that was 90 per cent of the complaints here this morning.”
“The head of the metering section [of GPL] is here to go through every single account and do an investigation to visit every home in their area where the complaints came from to see what is going on,” the Minister said.
While investigations are ongoing, no resident will face disconnection, the Minister stressed. He noted that the decision was taken since the cause of the significant differences between bills is unknown.
Indar said a report from the probe would be submitted to his office to guide further decision-making.
Meanwhile, concerning allegations of poor customer service at GPL’s Onverwagt office, the Minister called on the staff to execute their public duties with high standards of professionalism.
Member of Parliament (MP) Faizal Jafferally and Regional Chairman for Mahaica-Berbice, Vickchand Ramphal were also present at the meeting.
Since assuming office, Minister Indar, who has oversight of the energy sector, has met residents in numerous communities that may have concerns about GPL.
Two Saturdays ago, the Minister engaged residents of Lust-En-Rust and pledged to ensure that the community receives first-time access to electricity. GPL was given two weeks to deliver on that promise.