Growing positive public response to reduction in outages

SKELEC Office

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 1ST 2012 (CUOPM) – The public is expressing positive response to the improvement in the quality of service from the recently formed St. Kitts Electricity Company Limited (SKELEC).

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas during his monthly Press Conference on Wednesday noted the favourable comments on the significant reduction in outages.

He however urged persons with outstanding amounts to enter into a repayment plans with SKELEC to avoid disconnection.

“I want to thank those persons who have made favorable comments with regard to obvious improvement in the efficiency of electricity supply. Persons have said openly that the outages are more infrequent, there is proper information presented before planned interruptions and when there have been emergency outages, adequate information is passed to the public so that they are informed in an ongoing way of what is happening,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He thanked consumers who have made public comments on the changes that have been taking place with regard to the improvement in the efficiency of supply.

Prime Minister Douglas used the opportunity to comment on the continuing concerns that have been expressed by a number of consumers with regard to the policy of disconnection of persons who seem to owe large amounts to the company.

He said the government is aware of the challenges and it is one of those sensitive situations.

“This is what we have been saying to our people all along, that we could not continue with consumers utilizing electricity and not paying for it. We kept saying that for a very, very longtime that people have to act responsibly. If you are been provided a service, naturally you have to pay for the service. You cannot expect the government is going to subsidize the service and still not collect the portion which you are paying for,” Dr. Douglas said.

Pointing out that the situation has changed Dr. Douglas urged consumers in arrears to go in sit down with the appropriate persons in the company and work out a payment plan.

“The policy of the government is not to have people disconnected at all…you have to pay the arrears, but let us operate with a payment plan to bring the arrears down,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who in response to a question from the media promised to discuss with the Cabinet a suggestion measures to assist consumers.

The St. Kitts Electricity Company Limited (SKELEC) commenced operations on August 1, 2011 and is the sole provider of electricity supply to consumers on the island on St. Kitts. SKELEC’s main office is located at on Central Street between Westbourne Street and Sprott Street. To report outages call 465-2000 (between 8:00am and 4:00pm)or 465-2013 (after hours). SKELEC is also on facebook.