There are those who have gone as far to claim that the service is not only poor…it is HORRIBLE!!
Some observers estimate that over 150 million dollars have been expended to purchase and rent replacement generators and hire new engineers and consultants. However despite various figures being bandied about no actual costs associated with the project have been provided in recent times.
It was back in 2003 and 2004 just before the general elections, that the electricity supply on the island hit an all time low, with constant outages almost on a daily basis and affecting residents throughout the entire island. Seven years after, 2 elections after and at least 4 ministers after, including Prime Minister Denzil Douglas…”the problem is not only continuing; instead it is progressively getting worse and worse,” argued one caller to a local radio station.
From August 1st 2011, the government disbanded its Department of Electricity to establish a statutory corporation that promised improvements in the way business was conducted, but going on three months after, electricity supply in St. Kitts remains poor at best.
It is now becoming customary for the supply to be off, almost daily, without notice from the company or anyone. This unscheduled interruption has destroyed many household appliances and though Prime Minister Douglas in 2004 promised residents that they would be compensated for such damage, calls by consumers for assistance continue to fall on deaf airs.
The mood of Kittitians is one of anger, frustration and loss of confidence in the management of electricity generation in St. Kitts.
While consumers complain about damages and outages, the government agency continues to demand more in payments for the service. The worse the service, the more fees are being demanded for the supply. As some residents have stated, “When companies like LIME messing up with their cell service we argue and tell dem that they must provide a discount for their bad service, but now the electricity tekking off we lights everyday and ain’t even telling us, dem asking us to pay more.” That can’t be fair”, argued the caller.
The host of one Talk Radio program indicated during a recent broadcast that despite numerous requests to get the Minister responsible for electricity on the radio to discuss the issue, he has refused to do so. One thing is for certain though from the angry voices of consumers, answers are needed and are being demanded.