The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The former head of the BEC management union yesterday added his voice to criticism of the utility’s Matthew restoration strategy, arguing that it could have quelled Bahamian frustrations through better communication.

Clinton Minnis, ex-presidnet of the Bahamas Electrical Utility Managerial Union (BEMU), described Hurricane Matthew’s impact as “an unusual challenge” for the energy provider.

“From the generation side we were challenged because a lot of our equipment were affected by water and wind. However we were able to have generation ready for when the distribution network came up. My electricity has been off for seven days because of complications with how Matthew really disrupted our network,” said Mr Minnis.

He argued that having assessed the areas impacted, Bahamas Power & Light (BPL), BEC’s operating successor, should have restored supply to those who could have power restored, then move on, giving focused attention to the more challenging areas.

“The more difficult areas, for example, such as San Souci, South Beach, those areas will take focused attention,” he explained. “I think what needs to happen is that once BPL goes into an area where there is complication,  identify the problem, have a team in place not only to assess but deal with the problem, and once it is confirmed that the area is ready for electrification, turn that area on.

“If there are small pockets that are challenged we should be committed to stay in that area until there is full electrification. Some places in my area have had electricity for a few days now and I’m just getting electricity.”

Mr Minnis said BPL could have done a better job communicating to the public on its challenges. “I think BPL could have done a better job communicating more technically and intentionally to the public as to why an area is off, what the challenges are, so that the integrity of the restoration process has happened,” he added.

“The public can’t see certain things that we can, but they are not being informed properly as to why some areas around them are on and they are not. When people don’t understand what’s going on they become frustrated and angry.”

Mr Minnis also asserted that BEC doesn’t have sufficient resources to tackle the affected Family Islands outside New Providence, and as a result has had to bring in resources from the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and PowerSecure.

“Our man power is stretched. I worked 26 hours through the storm. I must commend our staff who have been working around the clock,” Mr Minnis said.