That key positions at utilities provider GEBE have finally been filled (see related story) is in principle good news. Of course, the proof of the pudding regarding how the persons concerned function as such will be in the eating, but at least there is a complete management team again.
The Government-owned company has gone through quite bit of upheaval especially at the top during the past few years, which is now hopefully a thing of the past. Although they have caretaker status, the presence of all three current NA Ministers at the contract-signing ceremony would seem to suggest the incoming UP/NA coalition won’t have any objections to the appointments, assuming there are no remaining issues with the Corporate Governance Council (CGC).
The Executive Board is back at full force none too soon, because the water and electricity supplier faces major challenges. The one with perhaps the greatest immediate impact is to reduce the number of power outages that have plagued the country in the last few months.
This has absolute priority especially going into the high tourism season for obvious reasons. The recently arrived diesel generator should greatly improve matters in that aspect, but future growth in demand due to, for example, the Pearl of China project must still be reckoned with.
GEBE’s public information session on Thursday night is any case a good move in terms of transparency. Hopefully, it indicates a welcome policy of more accountability towards the community.
Underground cabling and the installation of new water meters are important, but the company’s involvement in helping solve the garbage dump is becoming increasingly urgent. After all, plans for a waste-to-energy plant make little sense without GEBE actively on board.
