The Guyana Power and Light company is hoping that the local court system will better compliment its efforts to stamp out illegal connections.
Between January and June of this year, GPL detected and removed 3,921 illegal connections. The company has stated that the move is in keeping with its efforts to reduce commercial losses resulting from electricity theft. GPL carried out over 100 raids from January to June in communities along the East Bank, West Bank and East Coast of Demerara, Berbice and Georgetown and its outskirts.
According to the company, the highest number of illegal connections detected and removed, a total 2,410 were discovered in Sophia and other Georgetown locations.
Over 250 persons were arrested for the illegal diversion of electricity but the company complaints that the rate at which cases are completed and the number of convictions remain a “huge hurdle” to overcome. The company said of 2,760 cases made out in 2007, over 1400 cases are still pending. The company intends to continue pursuing cases.
Faced with a slash in its budget by the National Assembly, the power company has been looking at new ways to cut costs and to reduce line losses. The company is also faced with a high staff turn over rate as it continues to be faced with the problem of field staff carrying out illegal transactions.
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