An encouraging encounter with GPL

Dear Editor,

I had a very pleasant experience with the GPL during last week. It centred on renewable energy interest and plans.

I sent an email inquiry to the GPL’s Public Relations department, and received a response within 24 hours from the Assistant Public Relations Officer, Ms Wadecia Donald. It was a good beginning. The APRO referred me to the Technical Manager, Mr Woolford, who is based at the company’s Middle Street office.

On Friday, January 27, I made contact with Mr Woolford, who invited me for a face-to-face chat at his office. On arriving there, I was startled by the courtesies and professionalism of every staff member. This ranged from greeting to demeanour to speech. I heard such things as, “Have a seat, please” and “Mr Woolford will be with you shortly” and “Sorry to keep you waiting (I was early), and “Is it too hot, would you like the air conditioner turned up?” (that has never been encountered in all my years).

I felt even better when I met Mr Woolford and Mr Bachai, who both provided very detailed and step-by-step responses to my questions, in an unhurried and careful manner. They could not have been more thorough.

Editor, the whole process, really a preliminary fact-finding exercise, is about me embarking on a project that would involve a couple of public agencies, including the GPL, in a pioneering and learning experience, which is expected to be mutually beneficial. As the GPL officials pointed out, being the first out of the blocks, I am the “guinea pig” (pilot) into new territory. This is related to the President’s call for “going green” and the emphasis on renewable energy sources. In view of the reception I experienced, it was a very encouraging start, as there is the traditional reluctance to engage the public sector other than the absolutely mandatory and the unavoidable.

From what was shared there are multiple interrelated steps and processes. I look forward to working with the GPL people, and fulfilling my own obligations to make the undertaking work. I walked away feeling that this could be a rewarding partnership. All too often, a jaded and harried citizenry look for and experience what is unacceptable at the hands of public officials; sharp criticisms usually follow. But every now and again, there is the exceptional that introduces the stellar. This was one such instance; perhaps others could be urged to imitate.

Yours faithfully, GHK Lall