The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

ELECTRICITY has been restored to most of Bahamas Electricity Corporation’s customers in New Providence since Hurricane Sandy, said Corporation Chairman Leslie Miller.

Speaking at a press conference in the corporation’s command centre, Mr Miller said that as early as today, “certainly by Tuesday,” New Providence should be fully restored with electricity and most of the Family Islands by the end of the week.

“First and foremost, we want to thank our God for bringing us through this disaster,” the chairman said.

“Let me say that the Bahamas Electricity Corporation has restored supply to over 90 per cent of customers in New Providence and continues to make significant progress in those islands that were hit by Hurricane Sandy.

“With regard to New Providence, it is to be noted that during the peak of the storm, some 40 per cent, of the customer base did lose supply. That means that 60 per cent of our base continued to have electricity. Crews in New Providence continue to work to restore supply to customers who remain without electricity supply as a result of Hurricane Sandy,” the chairman said.

Mr Miller said that the team’s exemplary work during and after the storm demonstrated to him BEC workers’ skill and their competitive capability to those abroad.

“When people complain that their light is off in certain areas, they got to appreciate that the whole team of 87 had to go out first and assess what the problems were and that team had to go back and do repairs. And to give an example, the hurricane is now heading for new Jersey and it was predicted by CNN this morning that some 600,000 customers are going to be without electricity during the night for the next six to 10 days. Here in the Bahamas, BEC has restored the electricity within a three to four-day period and we’re just now moving up the areas of New Providence as well as the Family Islands, where they will be restoring electricity to all of our customers.”

According to BEC officials, a number of the Family Islands have had power completely restored. Those islands include Acklins, Andros, Bimini, Crooked Island, Exuma, Inagua, Long Cay, Rum Cay and San Salvador.

Abaco, Great Harbour Cay, Long Island and Ragged Island have 80 to 90 per cent of their power restored while Eleuthera and Cat Island, two of the harder hit islands from the storm, are restored up to 60 per cent.

BEC’s General Manager Kevin Basden commented on the subject and customers concerns as to when all power would be restored.

“With regards to the hurricane, we also want to re-emphasize the fact that our infrastructure would’ve experienced severe stress normally from the high winds, but in many instances from the sea surge as well as sea spray. So all of that would’ve impacted it and also be aware that our infrastructure is on the coast lines of the main island and the Family Islands.

“Our teams responded as best as we can under the circumstances. First of all, during the peak part of the storm, the men had to take safety and it wasn’t until the wind subsided sufficiently that we would be able to work.

“There were some customers who were wondering well why we were not working out there in the peak of the storm. One cannot work up in bucket trucks once the wind reaches a particular speed. Similarly, one cannot work on ladders in those types of conditions as well. But once we were comfortable that the winds were subsided and it was safe for us to work, we responded.”

Mr Basden noted that because of the swiftness in BEC’s response, along with the strength of the corporation’s system, they have seen a decline in the number of customers “calling in or walk in.

“And let me also say that this time around because we were able to restore the bulk of the system so quickly, the level of calls coming in or customers walking in was reduced.”

When asked about the costs of repairs and restoration efforts, Mr Basden said he could not make an estimate at this time.

“We would have to assess. We do have a particular worker order and we’re going to track all work costs associated with the hurricane. But we’re not in a position to speak to that right now,” he added.