Water rates going up
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) via Order No 2 / 2018, dated 7th June, 2018, has approved an application by the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) for an increase in tariffs. The decision was announced in a media release from the PUC which stated that, “After careful consideration of the views expressed by the various stakeholders namely the GWI Officials, Consumers Association and the members of the public, the Commission hereby approves the following rates to be implemented in two phases. The first increase will be made effective from 1st October 2018 and the final increase will be made effective from 1st October 2019. The implementation of the increases in a graduated format is an attempt to alleviate the financial burden on the consumers when compared to the last implemented charges as awarded under Order 3/2005.” According to the Order, there will be adjustments to existing tariff bands, introduction of new tariff bands, introduction of a fixed charge, reduced tariffs for pensioners over the age of 65 years, and increases in existing ancillary charges and the introduction of new ancillary charges.
Oil reserves now at 3.7B barrels in Guyana basin
With an eighth oil find yesterday in the Guyana basin and its largest discovery still to be quantified, ExxonMobil’s estimated total for seven wells in the Stabroek Block stands at some 3.7 billion recoverable oilequivalent barrels, even as the company accelerates work in the zone by adding a third drillship. “We have not assigned an estimate for Ranger yet. We need more data before we can do that and plan to drill a second well at Ranger this year. So the remaining seven discoveries are estimated at more than 3.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent,” Exxon-Mobil’s Public and Government Affairs Advisor, Kimberly Brasington, said in response to questions from the Stabroek News. The company yesterday announced its eighth oil discovery offshore Guyana at the Longtail-1 well, creating the potential for additional resource development in the southeast area of the Stabroek Block.
GEA fuel inspector dies in Essequibo Coast crash
A Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) fuel inspector died and his work colleague is in critical condition at the Suddie General Hospital, after an early morning accident yesterday, on the Zorg Public Road, Essequibo Coast. According to information reaching Stabroek News, 25year-old Shankar Ram, also known as Kevin, died and his fellow fuel inspector, 23-year-old Doneeta Ramlakhan is in critical condition and under close observation at the Suddie General Hospital. When Stabroek News visited the man’s Mon Repos home yesterday morning, close friends and family members had gathered to offer their condolences and support to the bereaved family. A tent had already been set up in the yard, and Ram’s mother, who was sitting in their veranda surrounded by close relatives, was weeping uncontrollably.