Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller.
By SANCHESKA DORSETT
Tribune Staff Reporter
sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller yesterday accused Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd of “increasing customers’ light bills” in order to pay “millions of dollars” to the “foreigners” who came to assist with the restoration process after Hurricane Matthew.
In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Miller said BPL does not “give a damn” about the Bahamian people. He said the government should be “ashamed” for allowing the company to disconnect Bahamians for non-payment, when persons are still struggling with the aftermath of a major hurricane.
Mr Miller, former executive chairman of Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), said he has received dozens of calls from persons who have had their electricity turned off for a month’s payment. BEC was renamed Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) earlier this year.
On Monday, Corporate Communications Manager Arnette Ingraham confirmed that BPL has resumed disconnections of past due accounts. However, Mrs Ingraham said the company is only “disconnecting accounts with outstanding balances prior to Hurricane Matthew”.
However, Mr Miller questioned this and claimed that he knows personally of several persons who have been cut off for non-payment after the hurricane.
“One of my daughters called me, BPL went to her house on Monday, while people were in the house and turned her off,” he claimed. “They didn’t even knock to see if anyone was in the house and willing to make a payment. It is a disgrace - her balance was $200. I mean people haven’t even recovered yet from the hurricane and they turning people off for $200,” Mr Miller said.
“They have turned plenty people off and they don’t give a damn what they do, as long as they get the money. The bill this month is double what it usually is. They are adding on fees as they please but I guess that’s what the government brought them in here for, to add to our problems. That place does not belong to them, that belongs to the Bahamian people, it is a damn shame that they are able to do whatever they want. Either they bleed us dry or they turn us off. Most people have not even gotten supplies to repair their homes and now in addition to that, they will be in the dark.”
Mr Miller said he believes electricity bills have increased in order for BPL to pay the foreign workers who assisted in electricity restoration after the storm.
“They didn’t need to be here in the first place and now we have to pay them with money we don’t have,” Mr Miller said.
“Jesus, give the people a break. At least three months is needed for persons to be able to get on their feet. I mean these people have no conscience and the government isn’t doing anything. All these people want is money, God help us.”
Two teams from PowerSecure and two from the Caribbean Electricity Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) assisted BPL in restoration efforts in New Providence in the wake of the storm.
Mr Miller has previously criticised BPL and the government for “bringing in foreigners” to assist in restoring power when, he claimed, “Bahamians could have done the same job.”
He also speculated several weeks ago that the government is paying more than $1m to “outsiders” when qualified Bahamians are being overlooked “for no real reason.”
PowerSecure, an American company, took over management of BPL earlier this year.
Comments
DonAnthony 8 years, 1 month ago
Welcome to the " real " world Mr. Miller. One where you actually have to pay for a product to receive it - the free ride is over. Imagine that! Now please will you and your deadbeat family please pay your bill, I always pay mine on time and I am tired of subsidizing your electricity use. Coincidentally my electricity has never been turned off. Might have something to do with the fact that I live within my means and pay my bill on time. Try it, it works. Accept some responsibility and stop blaming foreigners for your problems.
Islandboy242242 8 years, 1 month ago
So has his rate increased, fuel surcharge, or make-believe usage? You can't just say the bill went up. A better thing for Mr. Miller to focus on is finding out whether or not the govt will be rewarding BPL their 3 Million $$$ "performance bonus" at the end of the year...
Economist 8 years, 1 month ago
If the people do not have the money to pay the light bill that is what Social Services is supposed to be there for. Social Services is supposed to make an assessment of the families ability to pay and give assistance, if deemed necessary.
The power company is not supposed to be a charitable institution It is a business and not a charitable organization providing social services.
The power company does not have staff trained for social services because that is not the business that it is in.
The failure of Social Services to do what it should be doing is why we, as a Country, are in such a mess.
ohdrap4 8 years, 1 month ago
lol the meter maid does not collect payment.
his daughter must really be impoverished that she does not have data on the phone to make the payment online.
observer2 8 years, 1 month ago
I can confirm what Leslie has said.
A family member just called me and said BEC Notices were left at the gate for the properties in the yard stating that the electricity was turned off. Because they could not get in the gate they left the notices but did not turn the lights off.
The properties in the compound have been getting power from BEC since 1964, just over 50 years. Yes, from time to time over the decades when the economy was slow and things were rough the payments were slow but BEC never in 50 years had to write off any bills owed by my family.
Secondly, my family sufferred major damage to their properties from the hurricane. Because no one can actually afford hurricane insurance, they were diverting funds from the utilities to ensure that they had a roof over their heads so when it rains they don't get more property damage. BEC had said they would not turn peoples lights of so they felt they had a little time to pay off the bills.
For BEC to come in the yard, and without notice, just shut off the lights of a customer after 50 years just show the level of contempt the PLP government has for its citizens. I don't blame the foreigners for this. I blame the PLP.
BEC needs to get some customer service or go back to where they came from. You could not get away with this nonsense in the US where these companies come from.
You would first need to give a grace period of perhaps a week as a courtesy to say that if you power bill isn't paid by Friday, November 25, 2016, your power will be turned off.
What have we come to in this country? Is there no civility left?
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 1 month ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
Reality_Check 8 years, 1 month ago
I read the comment posted by 'Well_mudda_take_sic' before Crooked Christie had someone call The Tribune to force its removal. What 'Well_mudda' revealed about the relationships between Bank of The Bahamas, Crooked Christie and Flea Infested Woman Slapper Miller was absolutely astounding to say the least! 'Well_mudda' is clearly on the "inside" of most of what's been happening in our country in recent years. The information he has at hand must be well connected to CIA operatives planted deeply within the corrupt administration led by Crooked Christie. I was flabbergasted by what 'Well_mudda' revealed in his posting and frankly believe he is a superior investigative journalist to any reporter or editor currently on staff at our local daily newspapers. I can't help but wonder if 'Well_mudda' understands that for several years now he has been a key voice behind online driven revenue for The Tribune. Readers have been signing on to The Tribune's website to read 'Well_mudda's' comments more so than the related articles written by The Tribune's reporters. Perhaps 'Well_mudda' should be sending The Tribune a bill for his services in increasing The Tribune's advertising revenue based on hits to their website.
Honestman 8 years, 1 month ago
Well-Mudda, you are so full of sh#t. Everyone knows you use reality- check as your second ID.
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 1 month ago
The idiot was clearly being obnoxiously cynical of me and having a bit of fun. You are probably one of the very few who took the reply seriously.
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
Comrades! I ain't saying we're anywhere near qualified to feel the pain someone so financially positioned in society as a MP's Financial Disclosure says he's many times over and his daughter $200 outstanding light bill....But upon reflection of what today's modern electric fridges, stoves and flick on da switch lights have done spoil us natives.... if only the PLP Cabinet had thought have the Chinese think like the cabinet does think....backwards thinking and told the Chinese to use their $3.5 billion, for farming Abaco's thousands acres Crown Lands - to farm Olives...the practical early days source when Olive Oil, fueled we electricity.
jackbnimble 8 years, 1 month ago
The good part about having the foreigners run BEC is that there is no "special list" of persons whose light, no matter how high the bill, never gets cut off. I query if he was in charge if his daughter's light would have been cut off. The time for slackness is past. Pay ya darned bill!
Stapedius 8 years, 1 month ago
Political opinion aside I think we do have to look out for those in need. Many people especially elderly pensioners are really feeling the pinch of this storm and the rising cost of living. They may have had struggled to pay their bills before the storm so what you think about after. True, social services has a role to play. But I do believe that we as a people cannot have such a callous approach to social issues. Our community is too small and as we already struggle with holding families together people, not the government must be more caring. Rather than gossiping about a neighbor how about offering them some help?
ohdrap4 8 years, 1 month ago
his daughter is not an elderly pensioner, neither is he.
let him go to bob and borrow the 200 dollars, what is 200 dollars when you owe millions?
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
Comrade Stapedius, few if any are gossiping about not offering a neighbor some help?You would only have to read "Pot cake's" MP's Financial Disclosures to appreciate where the gossping is being directed towards and that it is he, not BPL (BEC), who can well afford afford to be the one to be offering social assistance to a carry the burden of a family members $200 light bill, not BPL.
Then again why would this come as a shock to anyone, after all isn't this the same damn Pot cake, who himself at one time it was publicly stated that he owed BEC $200,000 in back light bills?
Comrade Stapedius, do save whatever compassion you have for others for a more needed family....okay?
Jetflt 8 years, 1 month ago
Amen to that DonAnthony! BEC was a disaster when he as Chairman and now he wants to criticize the new leadership. They are actually running it like a business, not a charity. I know - novel concept and hard to accept for some of my fellow Bahamians. You think when hurricanes slam the United States, the power company cuts you some slack. I have news for you. BEC is a business, like any other, and they exist for one reason, and one reason only - to generate profits.
ohdrap4 8 years, 1 month ago
Not me. i come here to read birdie.
killemwitdakno 8 years, 1 month ago
You guys keep hostility attacking foreigners in press releases and you won't get such investors when you need. Differentiate by their practice.
Naughtydread 8 years, 1 month ago
Awe poor Mr. Miller, unfortunately in the real world you actually have to pay your bills to receive services. The reason your out of a job Mr. Miller is because you ran a company that could and would never turn a profit! Some of these old tired Bahamians have not the slightest bit of business sense. These are the same people who write cheques using their business accounts for their personal usage, let their family dip into the cash till at their stores and cannot even balance their end of day because they have no idea where their money is actually going. Mr. Miller, I think its time that you wake up bud, the things that you say are honestly pathetic and immature, you sound like a child. Pay ya damn bill or ya light will get cut off, its simple as that. The way in which you think is the main reason our country is in the shape currently because you have this false sense of entitlement and its honestly not cute anymore. Get a damn job and pay ya damn bill!
John 8 years, 1 month ago
"The foreigners who reside among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower" Deuteronomy 28:43
"***Mr Miller said.
“Jesus, give the people a break. At least three months is needed for persons to be able to get on their feet. I mean these people have no conscience and the government isn’t doing anything. All these people want is money, God help us.”***
. "If this happens, be sure to select as king the man the LORD your God chooses. You must appoint a fellow Israelite; he may not be a foreigner. Deuterononomy 17:15
Stapedius 8 years, 1 month ago
Now I see why others attack you on here Tal. If you read my post carefully it offers no opinion one way or the other towards Mr. Miller. Frankly, I think he's a crude noise maker. The post was meant to address the broader population. So get your facts straight before you open your trap. I'm hoping to know you on the day your PLP sensibilities get thrashed. Maybe then you will go and sit in your small corner.
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