The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A SAN SOUCI resident said she is concerned for her safety, and that of others in her east New Providence neighbourhood, after Bahamas Electricity Corporation workers left live power lines exposed and hanging in trees on the community’s main road.

Nancy Cartwright said it has been weeks since BEC workers left large holes and piles of dirt on the main San Souci Road as well as temporary power lines that are “taped to lamp poles to secure them”.

However, Mrs Cartwright said no one at BEC will take her seriously or return her calls. In addition, she said she has lost thousands of dollars in appliances that were destroyed by constant power outages in the area.

“I have lost so far three split a/c units, a microwave, lights, chlorinator for my pool and at least two breakers were burnt,” she told The Tribune. “I have spoken to numerous persons at BEC and asked for assistance as the third a/c unit was damaged after temporary lines were placed in the road,” she said.

“I have sent emails and hand-delivered letters but no one has responded to my concerns and no one is available every time I call. I have expressed my concern over the thousands of dollars of appliances that I have lost and my concern that the low voltage that BEC is supplying will cause a fire while my family is asleep in our home.

“Also, when the temporary lines were placed, there are some safety issues that I am very concerned about.

πThe large holes and piles of dirt on the main San Souci Road, which the ministry considers a main thoroughfare; temporary power lines that are hanging in the branches of large trees; and temporary power lines that are taped to lamp poles to secure them.

“I am concerned not only for my own safety but for the safety of others living in the area and driving through our community as this main road has become very hazardous. It has become very risky driving with half of the road obstructed by large holes and mounds of dirt.

“My other concern is that during a storm this temporary line could easily come down or a child might explore one of these holes with exposed high voltage lines. This is a very serious matter that needs to be addressed immediately before someone loses their house or, God forbid, their life.”

The Tribune attempted to contact BEC executives but calls were not returned up to press time.