By Samuel Sukhnandan & Nakasia Logan
Prime Minister Marks Phillips has rejected claims made by Opposition MP David Patterson regarding the APNU/AFC’s investments in increased power generation.
Phillips accused Patterson of attempting to mislead the Guyanese public and provided a factual response to refute Patterson’s assertions.
Patterson, a former Minister of Public Infrastructure under the APNU/AFC coalition, defended the investments made during their term at the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) in a recent press statement.
However, Prime Minister Phillips countered Patterson’s arguments, stating that they lacked truth and needed correction.
Regarding electricity generation, Patterson credited the APNU/AFC for creating new generation capacity at GPL by installing generation sets at various locations between 2018 and 2021.
However, Phillips clarified that these acquisitions were financed from GPL’s cash resources due to a reduction in world market fuel prices between 2015 and 2017, not through the coalition’s funding.
Phillips also criticized the coalition for allegedly making illegal cash withdrawals from the treasury, including financing for the 46.5-megawatt generation at Garden of Eden, even after a no-confidence motion toppled their government.
On transmission and distribution, Patterson highlighted achievements during the coalition’s tenure, such as conductor upgrades and transformer replacements.
Phillips countered by stating that these projects were financed by the US$64 million Public Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP), signed during the presidency of Donald Ramotar.
Phillips emphasized the unwavering vision of the PPP government, both past and present, in major energy projects.
He cited investments in projects like the 300-megawatt gas-to-power plant at Wales and the 33-megawatt solar PV programme for Berbice, Essequibo, and Linden.
The Prime Minister expressed his hope that his factual response would dispel Patterson’s inaccurate statements, suggesting that Patterson may be on an early campaign trail for elections.