The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – The Coalition for Concerned Citizens is calling on consumers to support a boycott of the Grand Bahama Power Company by voluntarily shutting off their power for 24 hours.

Pastor Eddie Victor, convener of the CCC, claims that the Power Company has been a major obstacle to the Grand Bahama economy and the livelihood of residents on the island.

He said the CCC is planning to hold a major rally and petition drive next week in protest of the high cost of power on Grand Bahama.

The ‘Lower the Cost of Power’ rally and petition drive is set to take place at KFC on Pioneer’s Way, just across from the Power Company headquarters, at around 5pm on February 6.

Pastor Victor said they will not only seek to secure signatures for the petition and provide residents with important information, but will also discuss future rounds of boycotts.

He indicated that they intend to ask consumers to participate in a voluntary “blackout”.

According to Pastor Victor, residents will be asked not to use electricity in their homes for 24-hours, and businesses will be encouraged to turn off their power and to use generators.

During the voluntary blackout, he stressed that consumers should take note of the reading on their meters when they shut off their power.

Freeport businessman Kenneth Symonette, owner of KFC, said he supports the CCC. He complained that power rates are too high.

Mr Symonette noted that power rates were more reasonable when the former Freeport Power Company was the island’s electricity provider.

“Our rates have become as high as our mortgages. It wasn’t always like this – years ago when it was Freeport Power, you were able to survive in this economy but now it makes it hard for us because our bills are extremely high,” he said.

Mr Symonette is encouraging Grand Bahamians to come out and be counted in the fight to lower the power rates.

Pastor Victor said at the rally they will inform residents about why the electricity rate is so high and about the provisions that exist in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement as it pertains to providing power on the island.

The CCC began its campaign against the Power Company last year. Among other things, they are calling for immediate revision of the tariff structure to reduce electricity rates and fuel surcharge costs; for consumers to be allowed to install solar energy systems; and for a 10 megawatt solar plant to be connected to the Island Power Grid.

Philcher Grant, corporate communication officer at Grand Bahama Power Company, said the company did not wish to comment, but that they expect to issue a statement sometime next week.