Power outages plague West Coast Demerara residents

The Regional Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Island-West Demerara) Julius Faerber is calling for an intervention by the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) in reducing the number of power outages that have been occurring in the region.

According to the Chairman, he has been receiving numerous calls from residents of the region who have divulged that they are being affected greatly by the constant power outages.

According of the reports Faerber received, the power outages are affecting the public water system. “As soon as the blackouts come on, the water also stops coming so that means that they have to do without the water.”

He said that some residents who still have access to water during the outages say that the water would not be potable. According to information reaching Guyana Times, the region for the last week alone, has experienced approximately nine power outages.

Speaking with a few residents, this publication was told that not only are the outages affecting the water system but it is damaging their electrical appliances.

Avril Samuels, a resident of the Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD) related that her television “blow” during one of the outage.

“I just saw the light starting to blink and I thought it was a power shortage so I was about to turn the TV off but before I could, I saw a red flash and I smelt smoke…is blow the TV blow because of the blackout,” the woman explained.

Leslyn Thompson of Vreed-en-Hoop, WCD, said she is highly annoyed as she is a business woman and the constant outages have been contributing to some of her goods being spoilt.

“I does sell chicken and I lost a lot because the blackouts are coming on so much and the meat not getting to freeze,” she explained.

This publication tried to get in contact with GPL for a comment but was unsuccessful in doing so.

Region Two

Meanwhile, GPL has issued a notice in the daily newspaper advising residents of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) that there will be load shedding in the region.

According to the power company, the base load generators at Anna Regina, are in immediate need of remedial works and as such, the company will be rationing electricity in the region.

The notice stated that Three Friends to La Union will have no power today from 18:00 to 20:h, while on Monday, May 30, Bounty Hall to Charity will be off the grid from 18:00h to 22:00h.

Again on Tuesday, May 31, Three Friends to La Union will have no electricity from 18:00h to 20:00h and on Wednesday, June 1, Bounty Hall to Charity will be off the grid from 18:00h to 22:00h.