est. 2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

I Have Had It With The Barbados Light & Power Company

Extracted from the Facebook Page of Rosemary Parkinson. This blog was forwarded to Miles Howe, a Canadian journalist at the Halifax Media Group doing some good work to keep EMERA ‘honest’.

New Managing Director, Mark King

Many of you might remember the tirade I did on BARBADOS *NOT REALLY ANYMORE* LIGHT & POWER a few months ago. And how far dat little diatribe went. From Facebook to Barbados Underground to Brass Tacks et al. Remember you sent your CEO to me? Remember I posted what I would still consider to be answers that only Dale Carnegie would have had the balls to write about in his now so very famous book “How to win friends and influence (really meaning fool) people”? Well…after all dat episode our billl went back down to high but hello I understand the cost of living an’ all de ress of it and it still did not make me happy but it was manageable. NOW THIS MONTH WE BACK UP TO WHERE I BELLOWED AND I GINE BELLOW EVEN LOUDER NOW ‘CAUSE NOW I KNOW YOU RIPPING OFF CERTAIN PEOPLE WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!!

This last month’s bill is so raas high I gine have myself a heart attack together with my landlady nexx door….we done both sick already with chess cold. And her mother done spend a week almost in horspital so she was saving electricals at home. But dis’ month’s bill 20th November to 21st. December gone from the usual $600/700 a month now back up to $1200!!!!

1. Now we done do all the tests with electrical so please doan go there again. 2. I ent even had a Christmas light on. My house been in darkness except my bedroom and office, and dat goes out at night when I sleeping. Next door had up a few but in the scheme of lights, it looked like we poor ass people cyant afford (which is true) to light we life at Christmas. 3. We both got gas stoves and I ent even cook a ham for the monff but as doan need electricity, you can blame de ham nor de turkey. 4. All we lights on energy saving and de only ting wukking on power is we fridge. 5. I even turn off de hair-conditioner now for weeks. Maybe one or two nights….but when we were getting the big bills that rose from 300 to 6/700 we had on air-conditoners day and night – so doan come wid dat one again! And dem energy savers too!! 6. The electric dryer nexx door brukk down (probably from your surges) and I does nuse mine once every two weeks as compared to befo’ every three days!!! 7. My microwave which I did use only on very few occasions also brukk down now for monffs (mussee’ also gorn because of the surges…and the lights off and on every now and den – you did it with me lass’ fridge and I ent send you de bill, I jess went out quietly and bought a new one as I had a likkle money in me pocket den!

All ya tell me to my face dat Amera gine help you out with all o’dis ’cause dem have money and clout and you will now be able to improve de plant and wee better rates and and and….when dis’ gine happen? 4012 when I done dead and gorn ’cause all ya kill me wid bills? Or is it dat Amera suddenly decide that what all ya was doing in order to reach the goal of 75 million profit, yes! dat is what you tell me, was such a good idea, dem implementing de same wukkings as befo’ so as to mekk a few dollah off ah we in de meantime? Or is it dat in de interess of all de people over Xmas living in small house and small income in certain areas who buy up de whole of the shelves in Buhabayduss in every supermarket, and light up dem whole house inside and out, all ya billing up people ’cause of wey de live? Doan go dere with me…’cause I might live in an area dat mos’ people would consider high up but watch me and watch me good…I in a small apartment and I is a creative person, and

WE ALL KNOW WHAT CREATIVE PEOPLE DOES EARN ‘BOUT HEY!! AND DAT IS WHEN DEM GET PAID FOR DE JOB DEM DO AT A SMALL PRICE FOR WANT OF MONEY TO LIVE!!! I REALLY WANT SOME ANSWERS. NO WONDER I RIGHT NOW MIGHT HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DOCTOR TODAY ‘CAUSE I FEEL ASTHMATIC!!! I VEX ‘TILL I VEX. AND IN THE INTEREST OF NOT BEING SENT TO JAIL FOR CALLING PEOPLE NAMES…LET ME SAY QUITE CATEGORICALLY TODAY THAT IT IS ALLEDGED THAT ALL YA DOING CROOKERY DOWN ON BAY STREET HEAR? AND DE PEOPLE CANNOT TEKK IT NO MO’! DIS IS 2012!!!

108 responses to “I Have Had It With The Barbados Light & Power Company”

  1. John Avatar
    John

    Rosemary

    Is the $1200.00 bill based on an actual meter reading or an estimated consumption?

    If it is based on an estimated consumption, read your meter and compare it with the estimated meter reading on the bill.

    If you are in control of your consumption, there is no way your consumption could have doubled from one month to another unless something is radically wrong with equipment in your house.

    The fuel charge on my December bill is 45 cents per kwh and has fallen slightly from the high I saw a couple of monhs of 48 cents per kwh.

    Unless you tell me differently I am guessing your bill has been estimated.

    If so, just call and let BL&P know your reading … or pay what you estimate the consumption should have been and insist on a reading so that things will even out on your next bill.

  2. David Avatar
    David

    @John

    Even if what you suggest is correct i.e. it is an estimate, why is it so high?

  3. Guy Fawkes Avatar
    Guy Fawkes

    Robert Kiyosaki: Rich Dad’s Conspiracy of The Rich

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wvcbk8Hcuc&w=250&h=157%5D

  4. John Avatar
    John

    David

    I do not know how many readings need to be made before BL&P revises its estimated consumption for a particular customer downwards … or upwards.

    I would imagine each customer has a number BL&P arrived at given previous history and this number is changed only when a new history is acquired.

    Make noise if you have done all in your power to address your consumption and know you are in control.

    If BL&P revises down your estimate, estimates low and you actually consume high, the next time a reading is made you will get a bill to reflect the actual higher consumption which you will have to pay.

    The message is stay in control of your consumption.

    Read your meter and keep a check on your actual daily consumption vs the consumption with which you are happy.

    In other words, know what it is you are buying before you get the bill.

    I got an estimated consumption a year ago for months which was too high and when the meter was checked at my instigation I went about for months without paying one red cent in electricity!!

    My monthly bill is now about $100 less than it had been. Put another way for the period 2010-2011 I paid about $1200 less to BL&P than I did in the period 2009-2010.

    If I look at the average yearly amount I have paid to BL&P over the last 10 year period I am down by about $700.00 for the last year.

    … and yet the fuel charged has almost doubled compared with what it was in 2000.

    I mostly observe my parent’s advice, which I used to ignore, and turn off any light or appliance when not needed.

    It took me ages to figure out that it actually worked … and I am an engineer!!

  5. balance Avatar
    balance

    by now most commentators know or should know that the problem is not the BL@P but the charges imposed by the govt controlled BNOC and yet we hypocritically continue to play the EMERA card. Even so, shouldn’t Emera be in the business of making adequate profits for its shareholders? when one invests or buy shares in a business, what does the investor expect from the management?

  6. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    @John…been there, done that. Not doing it again. Tired. ‘Cause whatever I do is just explained and even when I say it does not make sense, BL&P still at the end of the day hold us to ransom because they have a monopoly that is only interested in one thing…raking in excessive profits. I would go solar in an instant if I could afford but I cannot…we do have a solar heater.

    I do not leave my house too often as I am writer and most of my work is done here. I do not buy The Nation for moral reasons. Nor The Advocate mostly because so far I can get any news I want on the social media. I happened to be passing L&P one day and saw two men picketing, I did honk, slowed down and told them I was coming the next day to join them – I went and they had stopped – probably removed.

    I do not do any of the things that A. Freeman has indicated that most Barbadians do. I have to be frugal ’cause I am in the creative arts…and as I have pointed out…as important as we are for the advertising sector (I write books, am a culinary consultant and I am a visual artist – see website http://www.rosemaryparkinson.com but I include all creative people), we do not get paid handsomely for our work – if someone from abroad steps on this island they get it all the big money they demand but we who live here, we get the pittance part of the bounty and if we demand ‘they’ just give the job to another struggling artist and as we have to live…we have to accept. I just sold a painting so large for half the price it was worth (I have exhibited in other parts of the world and I have never experienced the haggling done here unless you are bonded at the hip with the chosen suspect crew of artists we have – and yes! I know they exist all over the world).

    So as I said, frugal is the word – I even make my own clothes and buy my shoes in Swan Street and shop ’till I get a bargain! I shop first at Cheapside Market on a Saturday for organic produce, and visit the butchers there that feed their animals grass… then at SoLo a warehouse where I pay cash for products that are inexpensive, mostly do not come from the US, and are still in the boxes they came in – no frills – no rich and famous to but up with for air kisses and how do you do’s that mean not one rat’s arse. I also am so frugal with electricity and do all that is necessary to save, save, save in order not to get these huge bills. Like what has just happened, I am very ill at the moment with a viral infection that has taken over my already old lungs, and my family doctor bless his heart has helped me out knowing my financial crisis with a book I am writing for Barbados – have had little help but not enough, so whatever comes in from the other books goes straight into the Barbados one. I try not to use the free services that I am entitled to at QEH because there are people far more in need than myself. If I for some reason do not feel like cooking, I use the van ladies.So how much more frugal can I get? I guess I could take up a space at the L&P (or is water) block just outside of Plantations where I see one poor soul has made himself a little apartment….but then I would not be able to work at all. Maybe that’s a good idea. Live outdoors with no work no worries.

    On the other hand even if I did spend all the money I wanted on foolish things, I do not see that as the point. The point is that electricity in this country has become outta order and if I could be made to understand that this is so because of particular reasons – global hikes, gas increases – whatever….well I might bitch and quarrel but at least I would know that it is beyond the control of the provider. But I am not convinced. Nothing BL&P’s CEO told me convinced me that they were not gouging the consumer and gouging according to the area you live in. Yes! even the small man is suffering but BL&P are making the middle man catch arse in a major way (both these groups cannot pass on our light bill to customers ’cause we just cannot – a gardener who is paid $100 would be fired if he said that now his electric bill has gone up, he got to charge $150…a home helper cannot say to her employer I want an extra $50 Madam because of electricity and not be on the street immediately! and that goes for people like myself). Big retail businesses have always gouged but even they are in trouble with their bills and so prices are increased even more….taking the opportunity of course of adding a little extra that no one can hopefully notices (because they know we will still buy).

    I have already pointed out that there is nothing on this bill that says interim or that says balance brought forward. It is nothing but a normal bill that obviously someone thought they could try a likkle thing with yet again!!

    I keep telling people through the social media, let us show force and march with placards…no one…not one has said they would join. So shall I do this alone and be deemed a nutter and thrown into Jenkins like poor Julian Hunte, now driven into a life of a recluse living in horrible conditions (he is what is termed a ‘messy’) who was the only person in Barbados whose mouth and action was seen on street corners? I already can feel the ruffling of feathers for the things I stand up about – pesticides on our food, GMO seeds being planted here, questioning what is in the animal feed (I know what is in there and its not nice), what do farmers give their cows to improve milk production…et al. I have not had a glass of milk in Barbados since Pine Hill Dairy began their 90-day on the shelf fabulous ‘fresh’ milk.

    I use my name on this blog and I know the dangers.We live in a small beautiful but mostly vindictive island – sad enough re the latter. But what I do is not about me…it is about the whole island’s health. It is about what is right or wrong for all of us. But I can only take a horse to water and I cannot make him drink. I do have a lot of friends who now read labels more carefully and have stopped buying certain things and they are spreading the word. But….it is not enough to stop the ills. We are supposed to have a body that supposed to be looking after all these things, we the voters and taxpayers pay them to do this job, but we allow them not to or if they do, not to do it effectively.

    If anyone of you is interested in what took place earlier in the year (or was it last year with BL&P and myself so you can see that I did more than any consumer on their own did then and since, as far as I know. My doctor tells me I take on the ills of the world and have myself more ill. It is one month I am fighting this viral infection using from holistic to old time remedies and to pharmaceuticals. I can scream and shout but action right now is difficult. I have asked others to take over until I am better and can join in. But I have not had one person say…okay I will take it from here and move forward keeping you informed.

    This blog is read by many. And if what I have said about our bill this month can help, I am happy. If not, I am tired. Sorry. But I am worn out of fighting through words and action on the little things that could make this island a healthy, attractive paradise. Just one little story for instance …on the east coast the other day to see if breathing in some fresh ozone could help…saw a girl in her twenties throw a fast food container into the bush near the sea. I stopped and so politely tried to explain to her what that little action would do to the environment, her land. She told me to fuck off. *tears*. I blew my horn incessantly at one whose black smoke spewed out of his vehicle, when he stopped and I explained to him I was told to fuck off. *tears*. I later explained to a cashier why a smile and a thank you would make my day. I was basically told to fuck off. *tears*. In fact she even told she did not care if she was fired if I spoke to management about her attitude. I scream about GMO seeds and see GMO corn growing in St. John and St. George *tears*.

    Yes! I cry a lot and I am tired of crying. The thought has crossed my mind that once this book is finished to leave Barbados and go to live somewhere in this world where at least the consciousness of people is open. I made a commitment and I will by hook or by crook finish this book – even if I have to beg the Chinese to print it for me for free (they can the front cover for their national flag for all I care right now, ’cause getting sponsorship for such an important book that documents Barbados, its people and its food for ever has been like pulling teeth from an old man with none! And I am so very grateful to those who see its importance and have sponsored but it is still not enough and all sales from my previous tome on Jamaica goes straight into this one). Am I disappointed about my island. Yes! Will I never return No! Am I disappointed in all our Caribbean islands, has my dream to do a book – an encyclopedia Caribbean if you will of culture, tradition, history and food – for every one dissipated? Yes! Will I continue after perhaps a rest. Maybe.

    And yes! we are a lot of talkers with very little action. But I applaud David King and BU for what they do. Perhaps one day the people will be motivated again to march for their rights. Perhaps one day when things get so hard, and bank accounts are empty and all the things that Bajans have so proudly said they had is gone…maybe then.

    Bless.

  7. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    There is hope for me. Maybe I should take my own advice and return when I am in a wheelchair with an oxygen tanks….this made my very early morning:
    http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2012/01/occupy_geriatrics_seniors_in_w.php

  8. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    ….and just for so…see Dr.Zeuzz’s last book in film…tells a lot.

    http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=/watch%3Fv%3Dahv_1IS7SiE%26sns%3Dfb

  9. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    Ooops…let me try again:

    Oh! The Places You’ll Go at Burning Man!

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @balance

    Since you have all the answers why don’t you explain how her bill which averages $600/700 has moved to $1200?

  11. ac Avatar
    ac

    balance does make a good point it is not one that i want to hear or anybody wants to hear but the enegy charges and fuel charges and vat are astronomically high which adds to the ballooning high bill. take away all those high charges which is not going to happen regardless of how many protest and their would be a big difference

  12. David Avatar
    David

    In Rosemary’s case we are talking about a spike in billing which is an anomaly. Nothing to do with regular billing.

  13. 4S resort-suits Avatar
    4S resort-suits

    http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/resort-suits/

  14. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    @David…something just hit me….how come Barbados allowed Amera to just walk in here the way they did…if they are in litigation or about to be or even being investigated….how could that not have sent warning lights to our people here? I mean I do not keep up with what is going on in every corner of the world…unless it is to do with food….but surely our government would have had initially to give permission for them to even approach Barbados Light & Power…and if not…then surely if L&P would be in breach of their company laws vis a vis shareholders by not looking into all matters re this? I mean surely the Bahamian group is nothing all that new…or is it? Did they start all of their actions after Amera bought up shares from Barbadians, or before? Sounds to me like any alleged criminal can come hey and set up store? And yet I know bona fides who are kept out and refused? Just asking if someone could enlighten…think I am feeling a little dotish this morning!

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Rosemary

    Not sure, we would have to research the timelines.

    Here is an update on your situation.

    BU has sent a communication to Operations Justice Bahamas to solicit feedback we can use as a model for way forward here in Barbados.

  16. John Avatar
    John

    Rosemary

    You sound to be in control of your consumption.

    If your bill is an estimate provided by BL&P, read your meter and pay the estimate you figure is right.

    When BL&P gets around to reading your meter they will end up where you are.

    My experience with BWA and estimated bills follows.

    My bill has been at or slightly above minimum charge $32.00 for ages.

    Bush grew around the meter and the meter reader could not find it to read it.

    I got an estimate of someting like $1000 dollars for the month and for succeeding months it went as high as $3000!!!

    The bill was read and stamped, due for disconnection!!

    I read the meter and kept paying what my estimate was of what I owed until the meter was read.

    I was told by BWA that it would not disconnect based on an estimate so I just kept paying what I knew I owed and relaxed.

    My account was ultimately credited with almost $3000 to cancel the arrears they figured I owed.

    Had I paid my bill according to the estimate BWA had, I would be receiving free water for the next 100 months, …. 8 years!!

    That experience made me realise that the arrears the press says BWA is owed are probably grossly overstated.

  17. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    Okay – finally got the link….and answered the gentleman. Have asked him to please just read all that was written before including interview with CEO at BL&P that you have posted above this posting…and read all of this…and then let us talk because my voice is non-existent this morning…Bless. I have a good feeling.

  18. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    Sorry the above was for David….re your message to me.

  19. David Avatar
    David

    Noted Rosemary. He is a good person to confab because he is involved in the FTC rate hearings etc.

  20. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    @John….I think that right now I am going to concentrate on how Emera got involved with Barbados Light & Power in the first place. I cannot believe that we have allowed a company to come in here that already seemed to be having some investigations done in the country from whence they came…of course I heard they are Canadian, do not know for sure. BL&P can write what they want on their bill to us….but this did not say it was an interim bill and if it does not say that, then it should not be. There are some consumer rights that we as a people are not even taking on and it is time we do ’cause that will be the only thing that will move this rock forward…and that is what I am sure every person in Barbados would want (or should want I guess, ’cause I do not see how a small group digging out the eye of their own people could possibly love their country or people – what now? We following America??). I am even sure that our government who just might be too busy doing lots of great things for us would want its people to be vigilant and let them know when we are being fooled so they can act accordingly. Right?

  21. John Avatar
    John

    Rosemary

    The principle of Free Enterprise and various treaties to which Barbados has signed on to I figure make it possible for Emera or any other entity or private individual to seek to purchase the shares held by another entity or a private individual.

    To prevent the purchase and keep ownership local would have required GOB or some other local entity or private individual to make a better offer for the shares …… which they were unwilling to do.

    Given its record in business and high finance, I am glad the GOB is not a major shareholder in BL&P!!

    My suspicion is that GOB’s involvement would have at best delayed the inevitable.

    Think BNB, CLICO etc. etc. etc.

  22. TooManyLawyers Avatar
    TooManyLawyers

    Light & Power, Water Works and CBC-TV but especially CBC-TV are all a mess among other entities!!!!!!

    The difference is that Light & Power and to some degree Water Works seem to work …. and yes with enormous bills!

    CBC-TV is hopeless

    CBC-TV in the Dover area has been out since last night with data problems….who knows when it will be back!!! This happens routinely!

    The Government is a mess….big talkers….because they know how to talk to bajans and we buy the nonsense.

    The PM entertains well at his residence, it’s about the only thing he does!

    Bajans have been dupped into believing that we live in the most beautiful place on earth!!!!

    By-the-way, did anyone catch the editorial by the CNN anchor who visited Barbados last month? In just a minute of commentary on Barbados, she did quite a job!! The only thing that might have saved Barbados is that she is new to CNN, her ratings are low and as a result not many people might have caught the piece.

    …..and don’t count on our consumer agency to do anything about the enormous bills hopeless….hopeless….hopeless!!!!

  23. Brutus Avatar
    Brutus

    They key to this is in understanding Ms. Parkinson’s consumption of electricity.

    According to the letter she received from Mr. Worme which was posted on BU, her average DAILY consumption over the previous year ranged from 44 kWh in the cooler months to 66.4 kWh in the warmer months. At the low end this is about 1,320 kWh per month which puts her among the highest residential users. I would have to check but I am guessing that anything above 600 or 700 kWh per month would be above average and Ms. Parkinson’s consumption was double that AT ITS LOWEST.

    If we look at the December 2011 billing period, I am counting 32 days (not sure if this is correct). At Ms. Parkinson’s low of 44 kWh per day this would give her a bill of $1,088 if my calculations are correct.

    This bill would include fuel of $646 and VAT of $162 (74% of the bill) neither of which benefit BL&P or Emera.

  24. Brutus Avatar
    Brutus

    In all fairness, the letter from Mr. Worme goes on to state that after Ms. Parkinson initial energy saving efforts her average daily consumption over a 6 day period varied from 17 to 38 kWh.

    At this new low of 17 kWh per day Ms. Parkinson’s bill for December 2011 would have been $418.89 but at the new high of 38 kWh it would have been $939.

    So the main question is what consumption of energy is shown on Ms. Parkinson’s December bill and is it reasonable given her energy conservation efforts.

  25. Random Thoughts Avatar
    Random Thoughts

    Quoting Rosemary Parkinson “I try not to use the free services that I am entitled to at QEH because there are people far more in need than myself.”

    Dear Rosemary: I would encourage you to use the tax-funded services provided by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and by the Polycinics. Note that I did not say free services as they are not free. You have paid your taxes over many years and so you are ENTITLED to use the service provided through your taxes.

    I myself us a mix of both private and public services. For example the early childhood care provided by the polyclinics is excellent, and the elder care is good. I’ve never overnighted in the QEH or the private places, but on accompanying elderly relatives to the QEH the service has generally been good, although physically the QEH has become quite scruffy, but the young doctors and nurses are mostly competent and compassionate, but my experience has been that that patients are too often agressive and rude and unfortunately from time to time staff respond in kind. But I have overheard an elderly nurse gently reprimanding a very young doctor. Encouraging her to be her best self, reminding her that patients who come to her are in pain, or scared, or tired or all three, and that they have come to her because they belive that she can help, and that it is her responsibility to be both competent gentle with them. The young doctor, a bright young woman, Barbados scholar took the gentle reprimand with good grace. So all is not lost.

  26. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    @David this is what I have written to the gentleman you asked me to be in touch with after I got tired of going on and on about my bill:

    And further I am almost prepared to even forget the dyamned bill and try to find out how a company like Emera that are under investigation were allowed to get in here. Take overs of this magnitude take a long time to work out, they do not happen overnight. Was their background checked thoroughly??

    Next point. Has anyone looked into the possibility that perhaps, and I say perhaps, our bills suddenly went whacko when Emera began looking at BL&P? Did BL&P at the expense of the people want to show a good profitable company? Now what Mr. CEO told me sure sounded like that. I could not believe when he told me that yes! they had made some 25 million in profit in 2009, some 45 million in 2010 and were looking at 75 million for 2011. Was that being done to impress Emera?? And now that Emera got us…you think Emera ent gine continue screwing with the people of Barbados as they have done with The Bahamas and their own country. This is the important part of the equation that needs to be investigated. What went on here and what is going on here? Not my bill. But what is really going on!!!!

    I think this is the course of action that will give the answers as to why some people’s bills are huge and some not…..playing around with people’s heads that’s what. Will my head has had enough!!

  27. David Avatar
    David

    @Rosemary

    There is a logical explanation and the BL&P should be able to explain it. Let us continue to pressure for answers at the local end first.

  28. TrueBajanMan Avatar
    TrueBajanMan

    Please call it the right name

    The Canadian Light & Power Company

  29. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    Sorry about the typo…that should have been Well my head….

  30. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    @Rosemary

    One question, have you had the wiring checked? It is possible that you are paying the hydro for the entire house and not just your two rooms. You may even be paying for the main house, while they pay for your two rooms. It happened to a friend of mine who rented a basement apartment in a house that was heated with hydro. Unwittingly, she was paying for the whole house. Trust no-one where money is concerned.

    @ To all

    Only invest money that you can afford to lose. In other words, dont go into the stock market with your kids university funds or your retirment pot.

  31. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    Rosemary it seems the paying public are helpless where these monopolies are concerned. If all fails I would move out from that apartment. It is very difficult to fight the monopolies alone. If ALL BAJANS decide to take them on then something will be done. Ways we can fight back
    1. Have a day where we turn off all electricals…those who can’t have a generator or arrange to use solar for computers.

    2. Try living without electricity for a week…..use batteries for lighting, bottle gas for cooking and ice coolers for chilling. Buy food every two days in order not to have spoilage. Organize TV pooling where communities can watch TV together. Yes we will all hurt a bit but we want to get the message over. Try going back to the olden days this might encourage community bonding and getting to know our neighbours.

    3. Refuse to pay bills we are the consumers without us they have no business. (I know it sounds stupid BUT it is true.)

    4. Protest en mass in front of the company.

    5. Seriously look at alternative energy or throw out de appliances or dem really got we over a barrel.

    6. May the Gods help us!

  32. mike Avatar
    mike

    That Parkinson woman sounds like a fraud,….just wants publicity…All she has to do is to learn to read her meter,like I did when my bill skyrocketed in Sept.Then and only then would she know what her daily consumption is,and therefore work to suit.I,however,believe that the BL &P on an on going basis is deliberately delivering low voltage on a rotating system across the Island…sort of my district today …your district tomorrow.People should note that …….Current used = Power/voltage….the lower the voltage,the higher the current.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    @mike

    It is not the first time we have heard this comment about low voltage.

    Have heard a few people complaining about outlets in the house ‘tripping’.

  34. Miles Howe Avatar
    Miles Howe

    Here is a link to an interview done with Troy Garvey from Operation Justice Bahamas. As I mentioned, over the next couple of weeks I’ll be doing a piece on Emera in the Caribbean. I’ll post that here when it’s finished.

    http://halifax.mediacoop.ca/audio/emera-under-investigation-grand-bahama/9102

  35. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    Mike what is fraudulent about Ms Parkinson? She is voicing her opinion and has a right to do so. People like you make me want to vomit! Why don’t you drop that stupid fcuking arrogant attitude?

  36. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    @Mike…strong words me friend…strong words. But they came to me like water on a duck’s back because you obviously just want to insult and guess my name just sounded right to get your rocks off on. So I forgive you. Yes! I could read my meter every day. But even better I could actually just turn off all electricity and live with candles again after all I have worked hard enough in my life for just a few little comforts, and I guess electricity in your eyes is not what I deserve.

    @Island gal…thanks for the support. And yes! I am voicing my opinion and have every right to. Quite a few people in Barbados had high bills again all of a sudden and nobody complained to BU. I did. And what did it do? cause the opening of a can of worms that could benefit the people of Barbados.

    So Mike if you can indeed read as well as you insult for no reason…see above and look at the position of Emera and The Bahamas. This situation is not just about me…it is about everyone in Barbados. And this is what the fight should be about because therein lies many answers as to why Barbadians – rich, middle class and poor – are being held to ransom through overly ridiculous charges by one company providing what should be our human right in a developed country – the right to live with electricity. The profits alone on a yearly basis should tell you something kind Sir. Not that the high percentage of VAT on electricity is also not an affront to us the people.

    You Sir Mike have made my night…what a shame that you hide behind a pseudonym…as you can see I do not. Now who is the fraud?

  37. TECHNICIAN Avatar
    TECHNICIAN

    @ Rosemary Parkinson…
    You say you rent your apt. Does the bill come in your name and has it always been in your name?
    Has the account # ever changed?
    When was the last time, if ever, have the wiring been inspected in the building.
    I believe your story as I have had my run-ins with L&P also, which is why I am asking these questions.

  38. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    There is no way that an energy sensible lady living in an apartment can have the kind of energy usage being discussed here unless she has some ridiculously large load TURNED on continuously (such as a large AC unit) or there is a major problem with her electrical system.

    The most common problem which can account for Rosemary’s situation is that her electrical heater in the SOLAR water heater is permanently ON. If your hot water is ALWAYS scorching hot…. You may have an electric heater and not a solar heater.

    Bushie is surprised that BL&P did not do a full analysis of your apartment to determine the actual details of your consumption….

    From Bushie’s reading of the situation Rosemary should be averaging no more than 200-300 units per month.

  39. Brutus Avatar
    Brutus

    But BL&P did investigate:

    “Your account with the greater electricity consumption supplies two air-conditioners, which are in regular use; two clothes dryers, which are used periodically; a refrigerator; other appliances and lighting. The average daily usage on this account between reading periods over the last year has varied from a low of 37.3 kWh per day in cooler months and as high as 58.8 kWh per day in warmer months.”

    Ms Parkinson was then able to get here daily usage down to 17 kWh for a brief period.

  40. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Brutus
    What would you consider a full analysis?

    Which appliances account for exactly how much usage?
    What part of her overall usage is unaccounted for?
    What will she need to do in order to reduce consumption to a specific level?
    How does her billing compare with similar customers?

  41. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    @Technician – yes the 2 apartments (that used to be a house – there is a connecting door) have been inspected by a licensed electrician who found no problems. This was done when I first flared up about a bill of $1,800 details of which are above in the link placed by David to that story. The bill does not come in my name. My landlady is a friend and a highly respected businesswoman who shows me the bill as it comes in. She also gets a bill for her side – the 200v. electrical appliances are connected – we have already stated those.

    @Bush Tea – thank you that is fact. And I do not have large air-conditioners turned on day and night.

    @Brutus. yes BL&P did investigate…but we had been using all of the above since I moved into this apartment and our bills did go from 300 to 600 over a period of time (not including the extra bill that comes for the other side) but we figured fuel charges blah blah. But when it went from that to $1,800 (and that would have been $1950 with next door) and I had the big scene as per above link…and after all the meetings/e-mails between myself and CEO of BL&P (who actually came on mornings by the way and monitored the meters himself for a good few days on his way to work???), our bill went back to the 600/700 and has remained constant since then. And the above was true re the usage. Except for the ‘other appliances’ part – I think that on my side a once a week approx. usage of a toaster/once every two of a coffee machine and perhaps once every three weeks microwave, no iron (I never iron), one computer, one television (only used in the evenings mostly) is stretching that part. By the way none of these come on next door’s bill, remember all her electrical appliances come under her bill which by the way – read this carefully) is always between 150/200 BDS$ and they use those more than me! I hardly cook or even do much in the kitchen!

    Since then Microwave on my side gone through the eddoes and one dryer next door and linked to my bill is no longer in the equation -both probably messed up by the constant surges and off and on of electrical supply from you know who – but we have no real proof and again have not bothered.

    And further, we have implemented more savings – no air-conditioners even. So we suffer, and BL&P continues to send these high bills. Remember I said: I was away for one month in October/part of November and left one security light on, all electricals unplugged except for energy saving fridge. And bill remained the same $700. Remember I said next door my landlady’s mother was in hospital for five days so that should have reduced consumption on that side…and we have in both houses had such bad flu that we were not even able to do much over Xmas, me? Not even a Xmas light and next door one string. Hello?

    How many times do I have to explain that our bill is plainly excessive. First we have everything running day and night and our bill is decent, we go heavily in energy saving and our bill gets enormous, we make a scene and it goes back down, we implement even further energy saving and it goes up again. What are we to do next? As I said. Go live in the open air?? Give me a break!!! Reading meters doan come into this at all, at all. Common sense can tell anyone dat someting wrong hey!!!

    And as I said before….yes! I am still angry about BL&P and their unlawful (in my estimation) way of billing….but now…I am riled up and vexed when I hear about Emera. And I am blue vexed when I keep thinking about CEOs words re the reasons for wanting to make 75 million in profit in 2011. And if there is one thing I can tell all of you…is that as a culinary writer/author I can smell cockroach from afar…and I smelling it strong now. Done. Please mo more questions. The story is told in detail twice and maybe three times.

    Let us the people of Barbados start a petition NOW with signatures that can be presented to not only the Barbados government but if all goes well with talks with Bahamas, we can have 10,000 signatures ready for them. All we want is transparency re EMERA and BL&P, The gas prices transparency please too, no more gouging for huge profits (and we should not care who their shareholders are) and definitely no more interim bills – you making so much money employ some more people for reading meters every month!! Done.

  42. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    And @Brutus – one more thing….on investigation our bills ARE excessive compared to some who use far more electricity than us as I have already pointed out…and there are some who use less and still getting excessive bills….and some whose bills are kind of considered normal when one considers the so-called hike in gas and the vat and and and. Oh! and no! we ONLY use solar heating for water. This shows me that rather than reading a meter and giving the correct amount on the bill, somebody doing craziness ’bout hey and it does not take a rocket scientist!

  43. John Avatar
    John

    Bush Tea | January 9, 2012 at 7:17 AM |

    From Bushie’s reading of the situation Rosemary should be averaging no more than 200-300 units per month.

    +++++++++++++++++

    I have no airconditioning and no clothes dryer.

    No Solar heater, but a shower head with a heater which I don’t use unless the morning is cold.

    I use a second shower so I do get my daily bath!!

    I have a small fridge.

    It consumes 4-5 kwH per day … about 120-150 kwh per month.

    The rest of my load is lights, computers, TV (which I have not watched in over a year) and a fan.

    Cooking is with gas.

    Sum total consumption per month is in the low 200’s.

    More than half my consumption is the fridge.

    If I had a clothes dryer rated at 5kw and I used it for an hour on three days of the week it would add 3×5=15 khh to my bill per week which translates to something like 60-75 kwh per month. I would be getting up to the 300 kwh mark.

    Airconditioning is the killer.

    Guesstimate rating at 2kw.

    Run it for 12 hours a day and if it runs constantly then 24kwh per day or 720 kwh per month.

    In reality if it is working properly it will be switching on and off. Assume a duty cycle of 50% and the consumption is 360kwh!!!

    If there are two, double this number if both used for the same time.

    Forgetting to turn off the ac could be disastrous to the monthly bill.

  44. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    http://wakeup-world.com/2012/01/10/solar-energy-lights-up-bangladesh/

  45. Brutus Avatar
    Brutus

    Bush Tea – I suspect that Mr. Worme (who by the way is NOT the CEO) explained the issues to Ms. Parkinson fully, and she could also get her electrician to answer the questions you posed. There are devices that can be used to monitor energy usage.

    I pointed out above that it is likely that close to 75% of Ms. Parkinson’s bill relates to fuel charge and VAT yet she is always quick to blame BL&P and accuse them of fraud.

    It is one thing to constantly complain about the dollar amount of the bill, but you also need to disclose the kWh used. Maybe it is an interim bill and maybe BL&P over-estimated her usage for the month – she can check the meter herself or get someone to do it for her.

  46. Rosemary Parkinson Avatar
    Rosemary Parkinson

    @Brutus….I am guessing that you work with or are part of BL&P, if not fine. Sorry for thinking it. Mr. Worme whether CEO or not was the one who came to me before the Emera complete take-over. I was made to understand he was CEO o at least in some high capacity at BL&P. CEO, RCS XYZ it does not matter. At whatever capacity he came here. Everything was explained. Nothing matches up in my estimation. I am done with the chat. Because my consumption is NOT AS HIGH AS OUR BILLS, NOR IS NEXT DOOR’S. THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE. If a 24-hour bar open with coolers/ TV/ video/lights/music literally five minutes from here has a bill every month lower than mine, then I know that something is wrong here. If a gentleman from Trinidad who does not have to pay his bills but leaves on all lights, television, airconditioner etc in his apartment and his bills are cheaper than mine, then something wrong here. If a young gentleman living on his own in a small chatter house with one overhead light, no fridge no electrical appliances and his bill gone up by triple, I say someting wrong here. If a five bedroom house with office and electrical appliances coming out of the kaboom can have a lower consumption than me and next door put together, then someting wrong here too. I could go on and on.

    IF BL&P HAVE EMERA AT THEIR SIDE NOW AND EMERA IS THIS WONDERFUL FINANCIALLY STRONG COMPANY THEN SEND OUT PEOPLE EVERY MONTH AND READ MY BILL LIKE YOU SHOULD. INTERIM BILLS CONFUSE AND THAT IS IT. IF EMERA IS SO WONDERFUL WHY IS THE BAHAMAS TAKING THEM TO THE LAW IN NOVA SCOTIA. IF EMERA IS SO GREAT WHY ARE THE PEOPLE OF NOVA SCOTIA ALSO INCENSED.

    Whatever anybody wants to put in front of me…I do not consume this amount of electricity, neither does next door. I really am done. Now I really do not care. Everyone want to continue paying high bills and let BL&P make enormous amounts of profit at the end of the year for their shareholders and for EMERA, PLEASE CONTINUE. When the next experiment shows me that our bill has not moved from this type of up and down into desperation, plan B will come into being and that is that. Consider me out of this. I am going to be like the rest of Barbados and say, so what? I have been accused of being a fraud, and that’s okay. Now you say I quick to accuse BL&P of fraud – to my knowledge I never said those words…I keep saying someting wrong but if I accused them of fraud and doan know I did ’cause I was and still am so vexed, I will publicly here say sorry.

    Unlawful practice is what I said in terms of interim bills, ’cause I believe it is…far too high in my estimation profits for a service that is every human being’s right to have I also have said. But then who cares? This is a free developed country so why not? Why should BL& P and any other company take all my money away from my pocket every now and then ’cause they say they cyant send someone here to read my bill every month…that is what we pay BL & P for. They do not pay me to monitor me own bill.

    Wunnah wait and see…Leave me out. I am stressed to the maximum and the fight is over….I gine do like everyone else, lift my arms in the air and say Lawd the 9-day wonder of fuss continues to reach nowhere here in Buhbayduss…from now I going in peace like everyone else…let it be Lawd, I done pay the bill.

  47. UNEDUCATED Avatar
    UNEDUCATED

    @Rose

    Dont be frustrated. Sometimes one man can bring about change by agitating.

  48. balance Avatar
    balance

    david rather than dismiss and sidestep Ac you have a resposibilty to the post to tell commentators if the high cost of light bills is as a result of pricegouging by the BL@P or the charges imposed by the caring Government through the BNOC. MRs parkinsn’s problem though important is personal and does not impact nationally.

  49. David Avatar
    David

    @balance

    Feel free to elucidate.

  50. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Why can’t your meter be read and then a bill sent based on that actual reading.

    That is how it is done here in Toronto.

    Why can’t the same be done in Barbados?

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