Ms Hill, we, the Bahamian people would like for you to disclose the total amount that was paid by the corrupt Christie-led PLP government to PowerSecure in connection with all of its trucks with lifts, other equipment and foreign personnel brought to New Providence, for a temporary period, to assist in restoring our electrical power grid in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. We have a right to know all amounts paid to PowerSecure as the U.S. company contracted to manage BPL. When on the campaign trail, Dr. Minnis said time and time again that a new FNM government led by him as PM would set the gold standard in transparency for the benefit of the Bahamian people.

"*In March, Ms Hill expressed optimism that the company will be able to meet generation demands heading into the summer peak season. At the time, Ms Hill said she felt “very good about the level of work that our employees have conducted and our ability to be ready for the summer.”*

I don't think the outages are as bad as last year. We were experiencing 5 and 6 outages a day last year and could not use our computers at the offices. This year it averages 2-3 a week. What really needs to happen is BPL needs to started installing upgraded and more efficient equipment. That is when the country will really see more reliable power generation and a cleaner more affordable product. Most other prices are driven by the cost of electricity and once electricity comes down, most other prices will follow.

The government has already assumed $500 million plus of BPL/BEC's liabilities, which for all intents and purposes has effectively been added to our national debt. But our government meanwhile remains the most delinquent customer of BPL/BEC with mega-millions of dollars of receivables on BPL/BEC's books relating to government departments, agencies and corporations. If we, the people, don't pay our light bill, we have to go without lights. But not so in the case of our government. Much of the so called "fuel surcharge" is therefore a tax imposed on us by our government simply because cash that BPL/BEC should be receiving from our government must instead be collected from us. The government must start paying its own light bills rather than pushing that cost on the people as an additional hidden tax.

Right again, Mudda. All Government offices use electricity exactly as thought it IS free. Air-conditioning is run at practically sub-zero temperatures 24/7/365. Huge lights are left burning during the day outside of the power facilities and offices. I believe The People should be privy to a list of BEC delinquent bills and their amounts, including those of the Government agencies and corporations.

I don't live in Nassau so i'm unaware of all these money issues. I can tell you however I work in heavy industry and I was visiting Nassau a short time ago. The power supply failed at night in a storm. I was amazed at the speed of the power company's response and the professionalism of the workers who showed up. They worked non stop until the power was restored--quite a few hours. So from that standpoint I have to say your power company definitely impressed me. Be glad for what you have. Where I live the power might never have been restored.

it's getting better for her she got that fat raise to sit around and tawk shcit to us.... like we supposed to believe it... that crap the PLP had musse contagious....

As said by @Mudda above: "When on the campaign trail, Dr. Minnis said time and time again that a new FNM government led by him as PM would set the gold standard in transparency for the benefit of the Bahamian people." With that in mind, Minnis and KP should come clean with the people and disclose to us the total amount currently owed by all government departments, agencies and corporations to BPL/BEC. We want some of that sunshine that Minnis repeatedly assured us we would get if he became PM. Continuing to keep us in the dark (no pun intended) by not releasing this information makes our new FNM government no better than the corrupt Christie-led one that we recently gave the boot to.

I want to see the contract that was signed with BPL that stipulates exactly what targets need to be met in order to get a bonus.

Full disclosure PLEASE Mr. Minnis!!! Table the damn contract!

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2017…

What a crock of the brown stuff. Nothing has improved. Receipt of power has decreased while bills have increased. BONUS? How %*"=!@'**<{**ING sick and underserved. Please get rid of these people. Disclose the agreement. It's The People's right to see it. Where's the sunshine on this one? Why are we being kept in the dark? WHY are we RENTING generators? Surely not from Power Secure? Why do we have a fuel surcharge higher than the rate itself? Fuel is cheaper than it has been for years. Why not adjust the rate to a reasonable one and eliminate the surcharge AND the VAT? Why not credit consumers for destroyed appliances and equipment? Why not credit consumers for periods without power?
Why give these non-Bahamian non-performers a bloody bonus?

Privatize! It's simple.

Comrade Tarzan, how's the Privatizing of Freeport Power working out for Freeporters residential and commercial monthly lights and air-conditioning bills?
In fact while we're at it - how did Sir Stafford's and Wallace Groves privatization comprising entire Freeport lands area work out for Grand Bahamalanders?

Tal, the power reliability in Freeport was, and still is relatively good. It has been very good since Hurricane Mathew.

The power bills did come down as the reduction of the cost of fuel was passed on to the consumer.

In all, the privately run power in Grand Bahama can run circles around Nassau, especially if you live in the eastern part of New Providence.

So to answer your question, it has worked very well.

If privatization means transferring ownership to the Bahamian public and then raising the necessary capital to upgrade the system, with suitable protections against any one Bahamian or group of Bahamians (including brokerage houses) somehow acquiring a controlling stake or significantly influential interest, then fine, let's do it. But let's face it, our local capital markets probably can't pull this off. One thing is for sure though, we don't want foreign enterprises to own our country's electrical power generating plants and grid system. Just look at what's happened in Grand Bahama!

If things are really going so well for BPL, I wonder why it is rumored that Kevin Basden is returning as GM and Ms. Greene is returning next week. Is anyone going to be charged with the missing millions? Seems as if the company is moving back through a time warp, to a point of no return.