opposition

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By Zena Henry General Secretary of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) Kenneth Joseph, has reiterated calls for a full investigation into the operations of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) now that the electricity company has proposed to citizens a massive 26.7 percent hike in electricity rates.NAACIE General Secretary Kenneth JosephThe power company has defended the hike as recouping for significant losses as a result of fuel increases, while the pronouncement comes some weeks after the parliamentary opposition cut $5.2B from the budget which would have aided the beleagured electricity company.Joseph is however convinced that GPL lacks proper managerial skills and has thus restated his position that a full investigation needs to be conducted, while advocating for the cut funds to be returned to GPL only when a probe has concluded.He said that it is even more relevant and significant now for the probe, so that the operations of GPL can be determined. “We figure if there is no probe, we will not know where the money is going, so as to have cheaper electricity.”He argued that GPL alleges that significant losses come from the technical aspect of their operations and theft, but he believes that the management needs to take some of the blame since he believes that the three components has led to the current position of the electricity company.The union secretary was of that opinion based on the figures and percentage in losses admitted by GPL, it shows that much needs to be done to turn the company’s operations around. Joseph charged that GPL is trying to put new systems in place by replacing experienced staff with inexperienced ones and this has facilitated the downhill position that grips the company.NAACIE had been calling for the investigation since a row between the union and the power company sparked protests earlier this year, with workers across the country downing tools and refusing to work unless they were given a raise of pay. They claimed that GPL had dishonoured a 2001 collective bargaining agreement and an arbitration tribunal had to be called, resulting in workers receiving the benefit of the doubt.Apart from that, Joseph had stated that “They (opposition) should not just give you (GPL) and you spend.” He said, “There must be an investigation because we know… we have evidence that not all the money is well spent.”Opposition members have also aired their concerns that mismanagement is playing a major role in the hurdles GPL face.