The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIANS have been voicing their anger and concern over the New Providence power outages on social media with most people calling for the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) to be sold and privatised.

Last month, after thousands of customers were impacted after lightning struck a generator at the Clifton Pier Plant, Leslie Miller, BEC’s chairman, said the company had spent about $5m in the past six months upgrading the plant.

He said the upgrades would prevent blackout and load shedding in the summer months that have plagued the Bahamas for decades. This explanation did not sit well with the public who felt that it was “a little too late”.

One woman said: “Every summer the same thing, blackouts and loading shedding, they keep promising us things will get better but it doesn’t. It is the same things every year: lets just sell BEC and get it over with.”

Another person said: “Thank you BEC ... for reminding me that we do live in a banana republic!”

“Before it was an aluminum ladder that caused a black out. What will it be this time? A monkey wrench? A monkey? A potcake?” another angry reader posted.

John Marc Nutt said: “Hurricane hits USA. Power goes off in Nassau.”

On the Tribune’s website, Sheeprunner12 wrote: “BEC is dysfunctional ... overpaid workers, vindictive unions, outdated inefficient, equipment, powerless leadership, overreaching political interference ... PRIVATISE!!!”

However, one Tribune reader, Tuesday White, called to defend the corporation and even thanked them for having to “deal with Bahamians”.

She said: “I’d like to send a special shout out to the line staff, supervisors and managers at both BTC and BEC. I know every company has its bad apples and fundamental issues that may be politically and/or third world based ... but for those of you who deal with us on a daily basis with personal pride and responsibility - I thank you.

“It can’t be easy and may not seem very rewarding all the time, yet you grin and bear it and do the best you can. I hope that those of you with admirable work ethic will encourage your fellow employees who lack empathy, customer service skills, manners and pride in themselves to do better and be better. That’s all. Happy Flag Day.”