GPL on the bandwagon -citizen bashing

GPL on the bandwagon -citizen bashing

OPINION BY: GHK LALL —September 2026

Somebody on the Board of Directors of the Guyana Power and Light Inc., (GPL) needs to listen to their conscience.  That is, if such has not been overtaken by cobweb and mildew.  They need to look at themselves in the mirror, then face their comrades in management.  Comrades they are, since PPP Govt blessing and Freedom House clearance have them where they are, keep them there.  The task: an injustice is being done to Guyanese.  Blamed for decades of GPL deteriorations.  After all the billions for upgrades, there’s still degrading of the ordinary consumers of energy in Guyana.  Relative to what’s going on with electricity supply, the GPL board should fire itself.

Somebody in GPL management should have the guts to tell his or her colleagues a simple, stark truth: the GPL has failed the Guyanese people.  Then tears that wound open by insulting them.  Constant blackouts caused by heavy use, overuse, of ACs, fans, lights.  Is somebody a complete jackass over there in the GPL management?  How many in Guyana’s human mass can afford an AC?  If they can, how many can afford to run it for any length of time?  I have backup facilities, and use of the AC for a limited period almost doubles the light bill. 

The PPP Govt cannot want business to drive the engine of the economy, then give those businesses sand and molasses for their electricity tanks.  Also, many businesses, except newer and smaller ones, have their own generators.  So, what foolishness is this from the GPL?  Pointing a nasty finger at Guyanese struggling to stay cool, trying to preserve scarce food, and working to give the children a little light so that they can study.  For the board and management of the helpless and clueless GPL, how much electricity does a fan or an energy saver light bulb use?  Indeed, there is volume, because that’s all that the poor people in this country have.  Now the GPL faults them for blackouts.

I thought that it was the PPP who said that the PNC represented 28 years of darkness.  So, where’s the damn light under the PPP, now that it has taken over for decades? 

My recommendation to the president is that the entire GPL management should be fired on the spot.  The people can’t do worse.  Truth be told, the president should fire himself.

He has done nothing but talk big, then disappeared to wherever catches his fancy, and in the company of people, that I would hold my nose against and turn my face.  When is the Wales Gas-to-Energy going to be in operation?  At this dark and desperate point, all that Guyanese want to know is when the extra megawatts will be live.  The PPP of Ali and Jagdeo can keep the half price money.  Just deliver the megs, so that Guyanese can get some relief, and there is an end to people cursing them for causing blackouts. 

 The GPL is now like a low streetwalker (censors say no word beginning with a w [which sounds like h]).  He or she finds fault with everyone and everywhere for their naked peddling of flesh for a shilling.  Recall the GPL.  Blackouts caused by contractors.  Blackout(s) caused by a Chinese operator.  Blackouts the result of a runaway minibus.  Blackouts the product of a racing truck.  Blackouts traced to transmission wires, and leaning lan-tun posts.  Blackouts due to the flaws and failures of everybody, except the GPL, and a dirty, decayed PPP Govt.

Now to top it all off, the GPL delivers a high voltage shock to John and Mary Public: They are responsible for blackouts.  It is why I am so much for the return of the cat o’ nine tails, public flogging, and stocks.  And those English bonfires.  I like the Chinese way: one final sendoff for the inefficient, incompetent, and those whose hands have hair.