By Tiffanne RamphalA bypassFollowing a loss reduction campaign by the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) which saw some 34 meters being seized from residents in Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, the entity yesterday insisted that its actions are legitimate.It was reported that on Sunday and Monday last,Youth Wholesale NFL Jerseys, GPL technicians swooped down on the aforementioned community and removed the meters from homes of residents, on charges that the meters were being tampered with. The electrical wires were severed from the utility poles and the residents were also taken to the Vigilance Police Station where they were each required to pay $10,000 bail.GPL’s Operations Manager Wayne Watson told Kaieteur News that the situation is not one where GPL removed the meters and accused the residents of tampering with the instruments “just like that”. He explained that in keeping with the company’s role to test and investigate all company’s meters, the instruments had to be visually inspected and tested to pronounce them as being tampered with.He said that the loss reduction technicians found meters that revealed distinct signs of either tampering or being bypassed. Watson explained that once the meter is found to have been tampered with when visually inspected, it is then tested by an instrument to determine accuracy.Tampered meters are identified if the seal, the only mechanism that prevents access into the meter, is broken or if the screws appear worn or battered. Watson made it clear that imported meters contain screws that are specially coated in addition to seals that are installed by the manufacturers. He said that upon being imported, samples of the meters are sent to the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) where they would undergo inspection. GNBS would remove the seals that are installed by manufacturers and upon concluding inspection; they would install a GNBS seal which carries a code.The meters that were taken away on Monday were displayed and some were found to have bogus seals made from ‘cast net’ lead and bicycle brakes cables while screws within the instrument, which are made from soft material, were battered or showed signs of having tools used on them.In addition to tampered meters, some were found to have a ‘bypass’ hidden behind the meter. The meters having a bypass were those where the seals were intact; but a low resistance path (wire) was put into place to create a diversion of power. In that case, the meter will record some power, but most of it will be detoured through the bypass.? Speaking about the meters with the bypass,Wholesale Jerseys China, Watson said that, “rather than some paying 100%,Cheap Air Max Tn Shoes, they pay for 20% and the 80% goes across the bypass”.Bogus sealResponding to claims made by the residents that it was GPL staffers who “went into the meters”; Watson said that as far as he knows, no GPL staff is authorized to go into any meter to make any adjustments. However, he is not ruling out that persons within the company could have been part of the illegal process. Unfortunately, there is no way to trace this likelihood since the code that is attached to the seal to track the recipient of that seal is often broken off. He added consumers may not have been the ones to tamper with the meters, but based on GPL’s knowledge of the situation, they would have benefited from it. He said that he cannot fathom someone tampering with a consumer’s meter without them receiving some reward.Commenting on the arrest of some consumers, Watson said that GPL does not have any jurisdiction over that part of the matter. It was confirmed that on Sunday, 19 consumers were arrested while 15 were arrested on Monday.The Operations Manager said that the company cannot specify what process the police station will take with regards to the charges meted out to the residents. He explained that the technicians were accompanied by police in accordance with the reform that was sent into law in 2010. They were in a position to observe the findings of the technicians and judge whether they were valid before taking action.In answer to some claims by residents that not everyone was arrested, the Operations Manager said that cases in which there were no arrests was due to the unavailability of police officers.Residents whose meters were taken away are advised to go to GPL’s Commercial Office,Cheap NFL Jerseys, along with the document that was given to them by technicians, where they will be briefed on the penalties that they would have to pay. A number of residents of the area went to the Main Street office yesterday afternoon to have their matters addressed.Those whose meters were found to have been tampered with,Throwback Cheap NFL Jerseys, may b

The Bank of Guyana yesterday launched a $50 banknote and two commemorative coins in observance of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.Minister of Finance,Wholesale Jerseys From China, Winston Jordan (Left); Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobin Ganga; and Minister within the Ministry of Education,Nike Air Vapor Max Flyknit Pure Platinum, Nicolette Henry during the unveiling ceremony yesterday at the Bank of Guyana, Georgetown.Governor of the Bank, Dr. Gobind Ganga,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, and Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, unveiled the note and the coins in the presence of bank officials, representatives from the Mint of Norway, and the Minster within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry.Dr. Ganga, during the presentation said that the $50 banknote carries the 50th Independence Anniversary logo to the right, the crest of the Bank of Guyana in the centre and the people of Guyana standing together as one, on the left.The reverse side of the note,Nike Air Force One Shoes For Sale, he said, portrays the National Flag and the map of Guyana in the centre, Peace Doves on the right, and the National Flower – the Victoria Regia Lily – on the left.The public security features he said are easily identifiable. Appearing on the right side of the face of the note is a Windowed Security Thread which is visible when held up to the light.On the left of the face of the note the Watermark of a Macaw and the value of the note (50) are seen when the note is held up to the light.It bears the signatures of Dr. Gobind Ganga as Governor of the Bank of Guyana and Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan.The note is said to be similar in size to the existing notes with the main colour on the front and back being brown.The two Commemorative Coins are similar in design with the 50th Anniversary logo on the reverse and the Coat of Arms on the obverse. The $5,000 coin is struck in silver and plated in gold while the $2,000 coin is struck in a metallic alloy and plated in gold. These coins were struck by the Mint of Norway.Dr. Ganga, stated that it customary for the Bank of Guyana to issue commemorative coins in observance to Guyana’s significant events and achievements.The Governor said that the Banks sees Guyana’s Golden Jubilee as a momentous occasion and is delighted to be a part of the celebration.He stated that over the past 50 years,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, the Bank has been playing a “significant” role in the Guyana’s development through the promotion of “financial evolution that encompasses monetary and financial stability, as well as safe and efficient payment system.”The first commemorative coin, he said, was the $1coin which became popularly known as the “Cuffy Dollar”. That same time there was the $100 gold coin. It was issued in 1970. The second commemorative coin was issued in 1976 to mark the country’s 10th Independence Anniversary several others followed from1979 to 2015.Minster Jordan lauded the officials of the Bank of Guyana for their creativeness. Also, he extended his gratitude to the Mint of Norway for “a job well done”.Jordan stated the note encapsulates perfectly,Green NFL Jerseys, the national symbols of Guyana.He continued that the launch was an auspicious occasion which he opined, was a fitting way to celebrate Guyana’s collection and the Golden Jubilee concurrently.