Unionites urged to leave VINLEC poles alone

THE St Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC), is suffering great loss, even as it is working to restore power in the Southern Grenadines, particularly in Union Island, where solar lights are being stolen and electricity poles are being tampered with.

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves provided some insight into this situation during his weekly Wednesday morning appearance on NBC’s Face to Face programme this week.

The electricity infrastructure in the Southern Grenadines was wrecked during the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024, and VINLEC is still working to restore power in many areas.

Gonsalves said on Wednesday, that to date only 35 of the 1350 customers on Union Island are connected.

To date, 75 per cent of the 40 foot poles which are used for placement of high voltage lines have been erected. It is anticipated that the installation of these poles will be completed by the end of this month. While the Prime Minister is happy that restorative work on Union Island is making good progress, he has expressed disappointment that VINLEC’s equipment are being tampered with.

“I am hoping that persons in Union Island hear this,” he remarked.

Gonsalves revealed information he said was received from VINLEC that “ there are persons who continue to cut up and remove poles that have been positioned to be planted, or require straightening for reuse”. He was mystified why people will cut up VINLEC’s poles.

“The poles are there to help,” he stressed. Apart from tampering with the poles and removing the road signs placed by VINLEC work teams, there are further problems.

“Some persons are stealing the solar panels and other items from VINLEC’s compound,” Gonsalves said.

“Some persons are stealing solar street lights,” he added.

“Leave the poles alone. Leave the solar street lights alone,” the Prime Minister pleaded. The installation of poles to transmit low voltage wires is also ongoing, and this is expected to be completed in a matter of months. In addition to VINLEC work crews, a number of technical personnel from the power company in Cuba has come in to SVG. These and are working alongside the VINLEC teams to help restore electricity to the Southern Grenadines.

The prime minister said the target date for full restoration of electricity on Union island is December, 2024.