| Utility shuts off power to government buildings | | Print | |
| Written by Richard Green/richard@fptci.com | |||
| Thursday, 16 June 2011 10:40 | |||
 PPC Ltd. cut off power to some government schools and offices June 13-14, saying the Turks and Caicos Islands government owes it $3 million, $1 million of that for electricity. The utility agreed to reconnect power June 14 with schools getting top priority, but said “this situation has been dragging on for a long, long time.” Although the outage disrupted some schools and government operations, the government said it reached an agreement with the utility to restore power on the afternoon of June 14. The government said it would meet with PPC on June 15 to reach “a mutually satisfactory settlement.” The Ministry of Finance said it has had the money to pay PPC since the government refinanced its debts in February but says the utility has not provided all the information to verify what is owed. “It would be irresponsible of (the government) to use the taxpayers’ money to make full payment until the liability has been properly established,” the government said in a statement. “Nonetheless, as a gesture of goodwill, (the government) made a payment of $500,000 on May 31 May.” PPC disputed the government’s claims. “For months, the interim government claimed to have the money to pay PPC so clearly there is no excuse for allowing this matter to get to this unfortunate point!” the utility said. “We accept the interim government’s claim that their bookkeeping is in some disarray. We however have been patient for almost two years, while these balances grew larger and larger. Indeed, the interim government has signed debt settlement agreement(s) with PPC, which has not been kept. PPC has also provided the interim government with several extensive spreadsheets, detailing their indebtedness to this company, all to no avail.” The Civil Service Association (CSA) Management Council said the disruption affected several government departments including primary schools, the Education Department, Treasury, and Engineering and Maintenance Services. “Several students attending government primary schools on Providenciales were sent home (June 14), and a number of high school students who were in the process of sitting external examinations may have been affected by power cut to the Education Department,” the CSA said. The CSA blamed the problem on the interim government for mandating that only the country’s chief financial officer can approve spending over $5,000 in a move to put tighter controls on government spending. Click here to read PPC's full statement Click here to read the CSA's full statement
|
Related Articles
Entertainment: Your Island Guide
|
Top things to do in April Top things to do in April 1. From Golfing to More... |
|
Valentine’s Day Cup 2013 model sailboat races The Middle Caicos Sailboat Association will once again present the annual model sailboat races at More... |
|
Lime and Tourist Board announce weekly Fish Fry The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board & LIME partner with Cultural Fish Fry The Turks & Caicos Tourist More... |
|
Turks & Caicos Reef Fun to host dazzling evening The Turks and Caicos Reef Fund will host its 2nd Annual Cocktail Party Reception on Jan. 26 at the More... |
|
Fashion Glam at Regent Palms The Regent Palms is inviting everyone to an evening of fashion and glamour at their event being More... |
Latest Community News
|
Cholera Clinical Management Training Held in the TCI Healthcare professionals from the TCI Health Services were trained in the Clinical Management of More... |
|
Illegal Haitian immigrants Intercepted Illegal Haitian Immigrants Intercepted, to the Repatriated According to the Ministry of Border More... |
|
Ministry of Health Reminding public about sanitation Health surveillance teams attached to the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS) have More... |
|
Scholarship applications now being accepted The Ministry of Education has announced that they are now accepting applications for scholarships More... |
|
History and traditions stay alive at the 13th annual boat races in Middle Caicos The 2013 Valentines Day Cup welcomed many fun loving residents and tourists to Middle Caicos’ More... |