News
January 22, 2016

Customers pay for acts of vandalism – VINLEC CEO

Acts of vandalism that lead to the destruction of VINLEC’s property end up being paid for by the customers of that utility company.

This point was made by chief executive office (CEO) of VINLEC Thornley Myers at a press conference at VINLEC’s conference room on Tuesday.{{more}}

“This country has invested too much in this company for deviant behaviour to create destruction and cost to customers. The only means VINLEC gets money is from its customers and when it doesn’t get money from its customers, it borrows and when it borrows, customers still have to pay the loan. So, anything that you do that impacts VINLEC will impact each and every single one of us.”

This comes after property of VINLEC was vandalized on three separate occasions in this month, first with two molotov cocktails being hurled at VINLEC’s headquarters in Paul’s Avenue, followed by the burning of a lamp pole at Yambou.

Myers said since those incidents, VINLEC has taken steps to increase security.

“Incidents like these do have an impact on the operations of the company, and do have an impact on the company.”

“Since those incidents we have had to significantly ramp up our security of our compound; we are in the process of acquiring and installing additional security devices and they are costing us,” Myers stated.

He said such deviant behaviour also leads to the social and moral collapse of our country.

Myers said that the company has close to 26,000 poles and he considers it shameful that a citizen would think that burning one of the poles is an activity to be celebrated.

He reminded Vincentians that both political parties have a vested interest in VINLEC and an interest in making sure that VINLEC operates well.

“So, this is not about any government; it is about our company and to the credit of all, of course, there are moments in time when people take shots for one reason or the other, but I think both governments who have been in power have recognized the importance of energy and in terms of his development and therefore have taken an interest in making sure that VINLEC operates and operates well,” he continued.

Myers noted that it is VINLEC’s hope that these new measures would not only deter persons from committing offences, but if an offence is committed they might be able to catch the perpetrator in the act.(CM)