BVIEC should explain why electricity cost is so high – Premier
The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) should be made to explain why its costs are so high, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley suggested recently.
The Premier’s statement came in response to a question about whether that entity will be investigated following growing concerns from residents who have been crying out for months about the soaring costs of electricity in the territory.
“I wouldn’t go as far as saying ‘investigated’. I think they just need to have an explanation to the public and I think it’s a good thing,” Dr Wheatley stated.
“I think we need to make the Electricity Corporation available to explain to persons why the cost of electricity is where it is and of course, on top of the rising cost of fuel, I think it’s dropped a bit in recent weeks and there are certainly some other factors that would influence what the cost of your bill would be, and I think it would be good to give some education to the public as to what really goes into the formulation of the bill,” the Premier stated.
Premier Wheatley argued that up until this point, the BVI’s institutions have not been responsive enough to persons as it pertains to queries and things that they’re concerned about.
“I think we should do a better job — all across government statutory bodies — of seeking to educate persons [and giving] them access to information,” the Premier said.
Dr Wheatley, who recently announced that steps will be taken by the government to subsidise some of those costs for residential customers, said he has been making efforts at changing the status quo since becoming Premier several months ago.
The Premier also stated he believes there is a need for persons other than elected officials to engage with the public.
“The public has questions, the public has concerns and certainly the elected officials are not always in the best position to be able to address all of those. The persons who are directly responsible for these areas, persons with technical knowledge and expertise in these areas, they have to be very willing to communicate with the public,” the Premier said.
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( WSD ) OH MY GOD , IF DON’T WALK WITH THE RECEIT FROM THE BILL THAT YOU ALREADY PAID BEFORE YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR IT AGAIN / WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON THERE ??????? THAT IS DAYLIGHT RIP
I wonder if the Premier is sure that he wants to put BVIEC under the gun like this? While we are on the subject of explanations, maybe the Premier and Minister of Finance can explain why Government owes BVIEC millions of dollars to date.
That’s besides the point, he is asking BVIELEC to explain to the public the reasons for high cost of electricity. Maybe you in cohos with BVIELEC to overcharge the residents and do not give a hoot about the smuggling families.
Instead of lying and hiding behind “Fuel Cost”, because from what i can see fuel costs have been on the decline since the first spike and electricity is the highest its ever been, at least for me personally. Its time we the people start making these corporations answer to US for why they using tax payers dollars to operate and we still have to pay exorbitant bills to these corporations. Everything is a tax, charge, fee,, when will we the ppl be treated fairly?
You are very slow to the party. The reason the price is high is because the biggest BVIEC customer does not pay so everyone else have to pay. It’s not rocket science.
Why can’t we have solar and wind? Why don’t we all have batteries and power our own homes and sell the excess to the provider.?
Mismanagement, poor planning, poor maintenance, no vision, no accountability, come to mind as possible reasons singly or severally.
Maybe speak with someone to see what the issue is? Maybe?
Transformer 30 yards from house not hooked up. 240 volt cable run on ground for best part of 1/4 mile from after Irma . Tied in to line on other road. You tell me what’s up? We all pay for the ones that do not.
You rite. BVI Love yea!
If everyone used solar or wind there would be no provider to sell electricity to! Surely you understand that?
They need explain how to calculate fuel surcharge.
You are right! Why? Everyone will benefit, not just a few.
So we got pay for their mistake dont make sense thats a rip off
Because Government and it’s Statutory bodies owe them millions upon millions of dollars.
I have been on vacation off island from July and got a bill of almost $200, what I s this????????????????
God help us in this island, from one thing to the next.
Go ahead, try. Not as easy as it sounds. Even after the lengthy application process, the BVIEC make sure the Tarrifs are structured purposefully to dissuade people from feeding back. If you got the $$ then off grid is better but surely this defeats the end goal?