Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 25, 2010 News
– 2 years back-billing penalty set for defaulters
By Rabindra Rooplall
Guyana Power Light (GPL) has placed 40 persons before the court for illegal connections and meter tampering this month. And the power company is continuing to seek out all persons and business entity that are devious and have illegal connections.
Based on intelligence many businesses this month were caught with using GPL services illegally.
According to Field Services Manager of GPL, Looknauth Singh, three businessmen in the vicinity of the Crabwood Creek, Berbice were intercepted with illegal GPL wires connected to their houses and businesses, while four businesses on Sheriff Street were caught with tampered and illegal connections.
He said that the wires found in Berbice were at a gas station, a supermarket and a sawmill. There was approximately 2,500 feet of triplex wire, inscribed with the marking “Property of GPL” and valued at $500,000.
He added that the four businesses on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, were caught with illegal and tampering connections; the businesses are: a Chinese restaurant, a Wash bay, a Disco, and a restaurant.
“We have zero tolerance for illegality. Persons will be prosecuted”
He explained that GPL is working in collaboration with the Government Electrical Department, which is involved with the verification of illegalities since this is needed to implement the penalty of backbilling; whenever contracted persons are caught stealing electricity they would be back billed for two years.
He added that before persons are reconnected they would now have to pay a reconnection fee, illegal fee and a two-year backbilling penalty.
The Field Services Manager further explained, “If persons are disconnected and have someone unauthorized reconnect their power supply such as their neighbour or anyone else, they can be charged for illegal reconnection and placed before the court.
“Only an authorised GPL operative should connect any supply”
The Manager also advises that the public should beware of fraudsters that pretend to be employed with GPL. There are many complaints from persons that GPL representatives had harassed consumers and are demanding large sums of money.
However, persons should request GPL official ID card to prove that they are representatives of GPL.
It was previously revealed that 13,000 illegal connections are targeted to be removed this year by GPL while approximately 600 persons are likely to be arrested, while intelligence has shown that approximately 30 per cent of the population was illegally connected and this has caused GPL Commercial losses estimated at $2 billion annually.
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
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