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BEC disconnections surge back to 5,000   By INDERIA SAUNDERS ~ Guardian Business Reporter ~ inderia@nasguard.com: Officials at BEC are confirming that over 5,000 Bahamian accounts have once again been disconnected despite government's earlier relief plan — an analyst now suggesting another reprieve may be in order. "We are back to the level of where we have approximately 5,000 customers again who are disconnected," State Minister for Public Utilities Phenton Neymour told Guardian Business, referring to the most recent numbers, for the month of March. "There were 5,200 accounts disconnected, which were mostly commercial and residential. "Essentially, we're back at the same number of customers who've been disconnected due to non-payment." The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), said Neymour, is now putting together a review to determine the "geographical areas" where most of the frequently disconnected live. It's a number that may grow as the unemployment rate in this country quickly climbs into the mid-teens, say analysts, with food price inflation increasing to nearly 8 percent. The minister's comments come months after Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham offered a temporary relief plan in the House of Assembly. Last September, Ingraham ordered BEC to immediately restore, without any reconnection fee, electricity supply to all residential consumers who had been disconnected for failing to pay their bills in full. He has since promised to provide additional relief although hasn't yet done so. That earlier reprieve came during growing complaints of sky-high electricity charges, with unprecedented crude oil prices dictating gas and electricity prices last summer. It's a break, however, that may not have fully registered with customers, given indications many of the 5,200 now disconnected are repeat offenders reached out to in that first round. "A significant number of them are individuals who had failed to meet the agreement with BEC, who were given the option of paying 25 percent down and the balance over six months," Neymour said. "I am somewhat disappointed in this [because] as you can see, the cost of electricity has significantly decreased in the last year. We are still being challenged with non-payment." It's a situation that exacerbates the already unsteady financial footing of the utility, with its accounts receivables around the $35 million mark. Former BEC Chairman Al Jarrett asserts another relief plan for residential customers now disconnected would not be as financially taxing on the company as some fear. "I think it should be extended again," he said. "Those poor people are not the ones hurting BEC, they probably only make up $5 to $10 million of its accounts receivables. "So why not do something for them?" In fact, he argues the corporation would be well within its means to offer another plan if that's coupled with a more aggressive pursuit of wealthier residential and commercial clients also in arrears. "The wealthy accounts are the ones doing all the damage," he said Thursday. Still, Neymour argues disconnections at residential homes were spread throughout New Providence, asserting he will have to wait until the review is complete before determine who exactly is most responsible for taxing the system. Friday, May 15, 2009