By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FAMILIES For Justice President Rev Glenroy Bethel says it is inhumane that over 10,000 families in Grand Bahama are living without power, and are unable to feed their children a hot meal.
He is calling on Grand Bahama Minister Dr Michael Darville to launch an investigation to determine just how many families have been disconnected by the Grand Bahama Power Company.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, Rev Bethel said: “Families for Justice Organisation sent a letter to the Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr Michael Darville concerning the inhumane treatment the Grand Bahama Power Company have imposed on thousands of Bahamians in Grand Bahama.
“It has been reported from reliable sources that there is over 10,000 family members, throughout the community of Grand Bahama, living in their homes in the dark for months, and in some cases for over one to two years without power – some with newborn babies and small children.”
Rev Bethel claims that many families are unable to feed their children and themselves because they have no power in their homes.
“This is inhumane and we call on the Minister for Grand Bahama to take some action against the Grand Bahama Port Authority, which is the regulators for the Power Company in our community.”
The civic leader said that while researching the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, their legal team discovered that the Power Company in Grand Bahama was never supposed to be a profit-making company.
He said the Power Company is making high profits and putting a great burden on families in Grand Bahama.
“We make this plea to the Minister of Grand Bahama on behalf of the thousands of family members who are finding it difficult to cook a meal for their families, to intervene on those families’ behalf.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 2 months ago
Sorry I do not believe this at all. If there were 10,000 homes off the grid why the hell would we need a boycott? Seems we have a forced one already. 10,000 homes would be noticed by the power company and they themselves would do something out of necessity. 10,000 homes is 10,000 homes not paying monthly bills. This seems to be nothing more than sensationalism....
moncurcool 10 years, 2 months ago
It was never stated 10000 homes. It stated 10000 families. You can have 20 people living in one home without power. The number of family members without power especially in Grand Bahama is most likely that high.
The_Oracle 10 years, 2 months ago
Amazing the numbers we throw around, I do not believe GB Power Co has 10,000 customers (meters) in total! Yes, there may be as many as 1000 residential buildings without power @ any given time, either temp or for an extended period through the inability to pay the bill. even some commercial buildings are without power. The problem is GB power will not share information on many issues, and are guaranteed a min 10% return on investment under the new rate structure with the Grand Bahama Port Authority. The Minister for Grand Bahama has the dubious distinction of having no jurisdiction within Freeport, so not sure what he can do about it. Any and all fault is with the Grand Bahama Port Authority who sold off essential services. With Government blessings I might add.
TheMadHatter 10 years, 2 months ago
The Rev says "... living in their homes in the dark for months, and in some cases for over one to two years without power – some with newborn babies and small children."
That is just hilarious.
How can there be newborn babies in the home if the home has not had power for a year or more? Babies are made in only 9 months - so that means that these IDIOTS decided to bring a baby into the world knowing full well that they could not afford to pay their power bill (and the article says many cannot feed their children due to this).
This is the act of a barbarian. Only backward uncivilized "people" would have babies in such an environment.
But I would bet big money that the Reverend preaches to his flock not to use condoms or other birth control methods because the Bible says to "... be fruitful and multiply." So many in our society are able to be fruitful - but if you ask their math teacher I'm sure she will say they don't know much about the multiply part - LOL.
Anyway - they can now enjoy their fruit.
*TheMadHatter
Cornel 10 years, 2 months ago
Only one comment. Do the unthinkable! Pay your bills
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