GWI, customers face off over proposed rate increases

PUC hearing

By Jarryl Bryan

The Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) attempts to increase rates in a number of categories were staunchly resisted by consumers; some of whom vented their frustrations with the utility company during a public hearing on Monday.
On Monday, GWI was forced to defend its proposed increases to consumers at a public hearing at Cara Lodge, in Georgetown. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) facilitated the hearing, however, it soon turned into a fiery exchange.
Political commentator Ramon Gaskin, who was present in the audience,

confronted GWI’s head on the status of its audited financial statements and when they would be available to the public. In response, GWI Chief Executive Officer, Dr Richard Van West-Charles revealed that the entity was still in the process of finalising 2016 statements.
Gaskin stated, “When can we get the audited financial statements of this place? He told me 2016 they are working on. We’re in 2018! If we cannot have audited financial statements, how can you come to the Commission for an increase in rates?”
“It’s unacceptable and matter of fact, its illegal! The audited financial statements of GWI have to be tabled in the National Assembly at a certain time. You’re still working on 2016 and you come here for more rates? Are you kidding me? If you don’t have it, you can’t come here for more rates.”
West-Charles’ belated explanations that the audit was being carried out by external auditors failed to assuage the former presidential advisor. According to Gaskin, as the CEO, West-Charles had an obligatory responsibility to get the statements done.
Gaskin also stressed the need to see disaggregated statistics on GWI’s revenue; so the public could better understand where the company’s shortfalls lay. Meanwhile, another customer complained of receiving bills with incorrect meter numbers and poor treatment meted out to him at GWI’s offices.
“It’s not good enough to come to the PUC for a rate increase when consumers are not treated the way they ought to be treated. And I stand with Mr Gaskin as it relates to the accounts for the company. People are paying; they would like to know what, how and why they are paying. You can’t just come and bombard the PUC for increases when the consumers are not satisfied with the treatment they are getting. Without the consumer, (there would be) no GWI,” another consumer pointed out at the hearing.
In the end, the PUC chair, Deb Britton ordered GWI to make the pertinent documents available, so that the Commission can review them. She also instructed GWI to address issues raised about the possible effects of ancillary rate hikes.
West-Charles undertook to make unaudited financial statements available before the scheduled end of the exercise. He also noted that claims of poor customer service would be investigated, as he had a zero tolerance policy for such staff.

Rates
For unmetered residential properties, a monthly fixed charge of $500 along with $1500 per month is on the table. Their metered counterparts face charges of $500 per month and $112 per cubic meter. For unmetered pensioners, a water usage charge of $740 per month is proposed, while the fixed charge will be waived.
Metered non-residential customers face a monthly charge of $500 and a monthly consumption charge of $150 per cubic meter. Unmetered non-residential customers are charged based on the category of their operations – small, medium and large.
All these categories are proposed to pay a fixed monthly charge of $500. In the case of small operations, it is proposed that they pay $3750 per month, while medium operations are facing a $12,000 charge. Large scale consumers can end up paying $24,000.
For the sewerage tariff, GWI is proposing $417 per month for residential customers and pensioners; while a monthly charge of $2860 is being proposed for non-residential metered and unmetered small-scale consumers. Medium-scale consumers face paying $4350 and large-scale consumers $6375 per month.
These charges exclude ancillary charges, which will encompass fees, including reconnection charges.