Essequibo : The island communities of Leguan and Wakenaam, in the Essequibo River will now have a 24- hour power supply.
The historic transition was formally acknowledged when President Donald Ramotar declared operational, the rehabilitated power station serving the island yesterday. In his remarks, President Ramotar said that government has been trying to provide electricity to citizens and this has been costing a lot. “At the moment we spend about $9 billion every year to try to ensure that we subsidise electricity for our consumers”. The move to the 24-hour power supply will be particularly beneficial to the women residing on the island, especially those who carry the “unequal pressure in the house in every way”. Children and youths will also be able to benefit from increased study time, he added as he cited the performance by other students who may have had “an unfair advantage.”
“Now we expect to hear that the children of Leguan and Wakenaam are challenging the rest of the country in producing top students as well, because we are now investing in you. Indirectly it might be said, but you will be having 24 hours electricity to study”. He also urged that students look, less, at soap operas and turn to the learning channel. Residents were also urged to take advantage of the future online courses which will be offered by the University of Guyana. The link between education and development was also emphasised by the president who pointed out that the economical growth being experienced over the last eight years coincided with the amazing performances academically by the local students who continue to win regional awards.
He expressed his hope that development on the two islands would “grow rapidly” with the new arrangement, so much so that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) would have to increase the generating capacity of the power station. This is all part of the plan to have the islands benefit from being able to not only produce agricultural products, but to move into being agro-industrial producers. The linking of several areas, such as Parika and Skeldon which are already connected, was highlighted by the president. The plan is to eventually link Essequibo to the others, he added, and all of these areas will benefit, especially if problems such as shortages develop.
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