From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
GB Minister happy power company agreed to delay proposed rate increase
By Andrew Coakley
Sep 28, 2020 - 9:42:23 PM
Freeport, Grand Bahama -- Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator the Hon. Kwasi Thompson said he is pleased that the Grand Bahama Power Company has made the determination to delay its proposed Storm Recovery and Stabilization charge from October 1st this year, to 2021.
During a press conference in the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, September 25, 2020, Minister Thompson acknowledged that the power company has done a good job at building and rebuilding the infrastructure throughout Grand Bahama following the passing of Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Since that time, the power company announced its intentions to institute a Recovery Charge to consumers.
“However, after having dealt with the first wave of COVID-19, they were asked to delay it, which they did,” Minister Thompson pointed out. “We’ve just gone through a second wave of COVID-19 and we sent a letter to the Grand Bahama Port Authority indicating that after canvassing the Members of Parliament and taking note of what was happening on the ground among residents, now would not be the best time to implement the additional fee.
“So, we are very pleased that the Port Authority agreed with us and the power company accepted this position and have delayed the charge. We are thankful that the power company has heard the cry of the community and heard the views of the government. Our office expressed our views that this should not be implemented at this time and that it should be delayed.”
Minister Thompson observed that everyone who lives on the island understands how Grand Bahamians feel about the proposed additional fee; and since Dorian, Grand Bahamians experienced additional hardships -- notably COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. “So, we accepted what the public was saying that now was not the best time to carry out the proposed increase.”
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